FINAL REFLECTIVE JOURNAL

Honest Reflection and Reflective Theoretical Models: The Path to Self-Knowledge and Mental Health (1st Reflective Entry)

Honest reflection is a process by which we think about what we have experienced, what we feel, and how we have reacted to different situations. This type of reflection is important for mental health because it helps us better understand why we act in certain ways, how to manage our emotions, and how to learn from our mistakes. By practicing honest reflection, we can improve our relationships, reduce stress, and have a more emotionally balanced life (Schön, D.A., 1983).

A theoretical model that can help in this process is Kolb's model of experiential learning. This model suggests that we learn best from our experiences, not just by accumulating information. Basically, we learn from what we experience and how we reflect on those experiences. The Kolb model has four main steps: experiencing an experience, thinking about that experience, learning from what we experienced, and acting on what we learned in the future (Kolb, D.A., 1984).

1. The concrete experience – This is the moment when we experience a situation that provokes our emotions or reactions. It can be a stressful period at work, an argument with someone close to us, or a situation that makes us feel insecure.

2. Reflection on the experience – After we experience that experience, we think about what happened, how we reacted, and what we learned from that moment. This is a stage in which we ask questions like: “How did I feel?” and “Why did I react that way?”

3. Abstract Conceptualization – In this stage, we try to understand what that experience means more deeply. For example, we may learn that the stress we felt at work comes from a fear of making mistakes and that we need to work on those fears to feel more relaxed.

4. Active Experiencing – This is where we apply what we have learned. For example, if we realize that we are not asking for help when we need it, we start asking for help from colleagues when we feel we cannot cope on our own.

A personal example that taught me how important honest reflection is for mental health occurred during a time when I was always feeling overwhelmed by my responsibilities at work. I wanted to be perfect in everything I did and often took on too many tasks, even when I did not have enough time. So instead of asking for help, I tried to do everything myself, which left me feeling exhausted and stressed.

In hindsight, I realized that the pressure to always be “perfect” was causing me a lot of stress and preventing me from being productive. I had started to criticize myself for small failures, instead of accepting that I was only human and needed help from time to time. Once I understood this, I started to apply the lesson to my future projects, asking for help when I felt like it was too much for me.

This completely changed the way I managed stress and helped me have a better relationship with myself. I learned that it’s not wrong to ask for help and that I don’t have to be perfect to be enough.

Honest reflection is a powerful tool for improving mental health. Using a model like Kolb’s, we can learn from every experience and become more aware of our feelings and needs. In this way, we not only understand ourselves better, but we can also make better choices for our emotional health.

It is essential to take the time to reflect on our experiences, not only to learn from our mistakes, but also to understand what makes us happy and what helps us feel good about ourselves. In the process, we can learn to be gentler with ourselves, accept that we are not perfect, and work on creating a healthy emotional balance. Honest reflection also helps us identify our values ​​and priorities, so that we can make decisions that are aligned with our true nature and what we need to live a fulfilling life.

In conclusion, honest reflection is an important step in the process of improving mental health. Using theoretical models such as Kolb's, we can learn from our experiences and apply them to our daily lives to become more aware of our own needs and make better decisions. Through this continuous process of learning and introspection, we can improve our mental health and live a more balanced and fulfilled life.

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Harnessing Critical Thinking Skills for Real-World Problem Solving (2nd Reflective Entry)

    Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information and make decisions based on evidence, logic, and reasoning. Instead of simply accepting what we are told, critical thinking helps us ask questions and better understand the situations around us. It is important in everyday life, both personally and professionally, because it helps us make better choices and solve problems effectively (Paul, R. și Elder, L. (2014).

     Applying critical thinking involves several essential steps. The first step is to clearly identify the problem or dilemma we are facing. Then, we gather the necessary information and analyze it. Critical thinking is not just about accepting what we see or hear, but looking at the situation from multiple angles and considering all the options. Once we have all the data, we choose the option that seems most logical and well-argued.(Brookfield, S.D. (2012).

     Another important aspect of s that it helps us to be more aware of our own biases and overcome them. Often, we make decisions based on emotions, past experiences, or external pressures, but critical thinking encourages us to look at each situation objectively. It helps us separate facts from opinions and evaluate information without letting feelings influence us negatively. This process of self-reflection is essential in building clear and logical thinking, which allows us to make more rational and well-founded choices. Thus, critical thinking not only helps us solve dilemmas, but also to become more balanced people, capable of making conscious and informed decisions in any area of life.

     An example of a work-related dilemma where I applied critical thinking was when my team and I were working on a project with a deadline. We received a set of data that seemed sufficient to complete the tasks, but upon careful review, we noticed a few errors. These errors had not been noticed by the other team members, who were in a hurry and did not check the information.

    Here we had a dilemma: should we continue with the data as it was, in order to meet the deadline, or should we address the problem and delay the project to correct the errors? Applying critical thinking, we considered both options. If we did not correct the errors, the project would have been delivered incorrectly and would have hurt the relationship with the client. On the other hand, delaying the project would have created additional pressure.

    I chose to raise the issue and suggest a revision of the data, even if it meant a delay. I explained to the team that in order to deliver a quality project, we needed to correct those errors. Even though this resulted in an extension of the deadline, the client greatly appreciated the accuracy and detail of the final project.

    This experience showed me how important critical thinking is when we are under pressure. Even if it means choosing a more difficult path, critical thinking helps us make correct and informed choices. In a team, this means that sometimes we have to put quality above meeting deadlines in order to achieve the best results.

     In conclusion, critical thinking is a valuable tool in decision-making and problem-solving. It helps us to better understand situations, choose the best solutions, and act in a logical and informative way. It is essential to apply it in our daily lives, both in our careers and in our personal relationships.

Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Health and Social Care Through Reflection and Critical Thinking (3rd Reflective Entry)

ry common. Professionals in this field often face difficult decisions that involve patients’ rights, their safety and professional responsibilities.

    An example of an ethical dilemma in health is when a seriously ill patient asks for help to end their life. This puts the doctor or social worker in a difficult situation, between respecting the patient’s wish to choose their own destiny and respecting the principle of “do no harm”, which says that we should not help someone end their life. Critical thinking is essential in this case, because we have to consider what is more important: respecting the patient’s choice or protecting their life (Kaddoura, M., 2018).

     In social care, another ethical dilemma could arise when a social worker learns that a client wants to harm someone else. Here, they must decide whether to keep the information confidential or to reveal what they have learned to prevent a potential tragedy. It is a difficult choice, because protecting the client’s privacy is very important, but the safety of others must also be taken into account.( Papadopoulou, K. și Papadopoulos, I., 2022).

    In these cases, critical thinking helps us weigh all the options and see which one is more correct, based on our values and principles. We must ask ourselves: What would each choice mean for the patient, for our colleagues, and for us? What would we do if we were in their place?

    Another type of ethical dilemma arises in social media. Health misinformation is a very common example. A lot of misinformation circulates online, and people can be influenced to make bad decisions for their health. For example, advice about diets that are not supported by scientific research or treatments that are not safe can be dangerous. Critical thinking is very important here, because we need to analyze the sources of information and understand whether what we read is true or just a myth.

    Another example is when a person who does not have professional training offers health advice on social media. Many influencers or social media users can give advice on how to improve your health or about products that are not verified, which can lead to serious health problems. Critical thinking helps us understand what information is reliable and what is just opinion.

    In this context, solving the problems of misinformation or unqualified advice can start with educating people to verify the sources of information. It is important for people to understand that not all information found on the internet is correct and that it is essential to consult professionals for health advice.

    Another important aspect of ethical dilemmas in health and social care is the importance of respecting patient confidentiality and trust. In many cases, professionals must balance between protecting the rights and privacy of the patient and respecting the law or the safety of others. For example, in cases of abuse or self-harm, professionals must make decisions quickly, sometimes in the face of an extremely emotional and sensitive situation.

     Critical thinking plays a key role in these moments. Professionals must analyze the available information, weigh the risks and benefits of different actions, and apply the ethical principles of the profession to make the best decisions for the patient and the community. Critical thinking also helps them to be aware of their own values and biases, so as not to allow them to influence the decisions they make.

    In social networks, ethical dilemmas related to unqualified advice or misinformation can have a significant impact on public health. Thus, educating users to recognize trusted sources of information and avoid following advice not supported by scientific evidence is essential. Health professionals can play an important role in combating misinformation and promoting public health online.

In conclusion, ethical dilemmas are common in health and social care, but critical thinking can help find the best solutions. Whether we're faced with a difficult choice at work or misinformation online, critical thinking helps us better understand situations and make informed and correct decisions.

Thank you.

Reference List:

Brookfield, S.D. (2012). Teaching for Critical Thinking: Tools and Techniques to Help Students Question Their Assumptions. Jossey-Bass https://archive.org/details/critical-thinking-tools-for-taking-charge-of-your-professional-life-2e/How%20to%20Study%20and%20Learn%20a%20Discipline/

Kaddoura, M., 2018. Constructing critical thinking in health professional education. Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, 5, pp.1-9 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6002289/

Kolb, D.A., 1984. Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235701029_Experiential_Learning_Experience_As_The_Source_Of_Learning_And_Development

Papadopoulou, K. și Papadopoulos, I., 2022. Social workers dealing with ethical dilemmas in the course of their practice. British Journal of Social Work, 52(8), pp.4795-4810 https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/article/52/8/4795/6583246?login=false

Paul, R. și Elder, L. (2014). Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life. Pearson Education https://pocketbook.de/de_en/downloadable/download/sample/sample_id/3751058/#page=26.25

Schön, D.A., 1983. The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. Basic Books, New York https://raggeduniversity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1_x_Donald-A.-Schon-The-Reflective-Practitioner_-How-Professionals-Think-In-Action-Basic-Books-1984_redactedaa_compressed3.pdf#page=30.66