The Power of Self-Understanding in Relationships: Lessons from Aristotle’s Wisdom

Queens, goddesses, and empresses—welcome to the realm of self-empowerment! Before we jump into this love note to wisdom and relationships, we need a little preamble on why I use terms like “queen,” “goddess,” and “empress” throughout this post (and throughout my whole blog).

These aren’t just flowery words meant for fairy tales or historical dramas. Oh no, my loves. When I refer to you as an empress, a queen, or a goddess, I’m talking about the undeniable power that lives in YOU as the ruler of your own life. These terms symbolize claiming your perspective, standing tall in your choices, and embodying the highest version of yourself. The word empress is especially close to my heart because it’s in the very name of this blog, Empressive Empowerment.

Why “empressive”? It’s a combination of “empress,” a leader in her own right, and “impressive,” because greatness shines from within when women harness their power and wisdom. And honey, as the sovereign of your story, your wisdom is forming your throne.

Aristotle knew this long before it was trendy to have a personal mantra. He told us, “Understanding yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” And he wasn’t lying! Every relationship you have—romantic, platonic, familial, professional—is a reflection of how deeply you know, love, and lead yourself.

Now that we’ve set the record straight, rally your inner court—it’s time to explore how self-awareness can transform every connection you have.

Romantic Relationships—Rule Your Heart’s Kingdom

An empress who knows herself doesn’t hand over her crown to just anyone. When you understand who you are and what you want, you don’t waste time on castles built of sand. Maybe you’ve been in a relationship where you twisted yourself into a pretzel, thinking love meant self-sacrifice. Or maybe you’ve stayed too long with someone you were trying to “fix.” Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing about self-awareness—it’s the throne room of your heart. When you know your emotional patterns and understand what makes your soul light up, you start making decisions from a place of empowerment instead of desperation. You attract partners who honor you, challenge you, and treat you like the royalty you are.

Practical Tips for Self-Awareness in Romance:

• Define your non-negotiables. What qualities in a partner do you need to thrive? Write them down like a royal decree.

• Reflect on your relationship history. What worked? What didn’t? Own your patterns and decide what you’ll carry forward or leave behind.

• Create boundaries and enforce them like they’re the castle walls. No late-night texts from exes. No toxic behavior. Period.

  
  

Platonic Friendships—Your Royal Court

Your friends are your council, your confidants, and your biggest cheerleaders. Just like I mentioned in my last blog, my best friend Crystal is a grounding force in my life, embodying acceptance and resilience that inspire me daily. A self-aware empress doesn’t settle for anything less than reciprocal support and joy in her platonic relationships. Maybe you’ve had friendships where jealousy brewed or where one person carried all the emotional labor (and it was usually you).

Self-awareness helps you both recognize your triggers and show up as the friend you’d want to have. It also empowers you to surround yourself with likeminded women who believe in collaboration over competition. Your sisterhood should fuel your strength—not drain your reign.

Practical Tips for Self-Awareness in Friendships:

• Check in with yourself. Are you carrying unspoken frustrations? Sit with them before projecting them onto your friends.

• Celebrate your friends’ victories wholeheartedly. One empress’s success uplifts the whole queendom.

• Know when to walk away. If a “friendship” is all one-sided, it might be time to diplomatically dismiss it from your court.

  
  

Family Dynamics—Healing Roots, Growing Branches

Family relationships? Oh, they’re a layered empire. Navigating them takes self-awareness to honor the past while stepping into what feels right for your present. For instance, this past Thanksgiving, my family decided to stay home instead of attending the larger family gathering. It wasn’t about rejecting tradition but about creating a quieter, more intentional day of togetherness. While it was refreshing for us, my mom felt disappointed—yearning for the way things used to be, with everyone under one roof.

It’s not always easy to make these choices. Balancing personal values with family expectations means acknowledging their feelings while still holding firm to what aligns with your truth. It’s a delicate process of preserving bonds without losing yourself—a dance between cherishing roots and carving your own path forward.

Practical Tips for Self-Awareness in Family Relationships

• Share your reasons for changes thoughtfully to manage expectations and reduce misunderstandings, even if emotions run high.

• Look for ways to honor old traditions while blending new ones to reflect your evolving values.

• Protect your well-being by setting boundaries with love and care, ensuring you can nurture authentic, healthier connections.

  
  

Family may be complex, but with open communication, mutual respect, and boundaries rooted in kindness, it’s possible to honor both where you came from and who you’re becoming.

Professional Relationships—Lead Like an Empress

The workplace is a kingdom of its own, and navigating it calls for poise and strategy. Self-awareness helps you understand your strengths and hammer out your weaknesses, whether they’re procrastination or overcommitting. Recognizing your professional value is the key to commanding respect without compromising your sense of self.

Whether you’re managing a team or speaking up in meetings, authenticity resonates. A self-aware empress isn’t afraid to claim her space in a world that often wants her to play small.

Practical Tips for Self-Awareness at Work:

• Reflect on your behavior during workplace challenges. Are you a problem solver, or do you freeze? Adjust accordingly with compassion.

• Learn to receive constructive criticism like the regal woman you are. Not all feedback is an attack—in fact, it’s a tool for growth.

• Advocate for the empress you are. When you know your worth, you negotiate like a boss.

  
  

Empowerment Through Reflection

At the heart of this concept is one life-changing truth: Every relationship begins with the one you have with yourself. Self-awareness doesn’t just deepen your connections—it reclaims your power. It allows you to walk away from the wrong people and gravitate toward the right ones.

To strengthen your self-awareness, try these actions:

• Dedicate time to journaling. What emotions, wins, or challenges showed up for you today? Write them down.

• Ask the people you trust most for their honest feedback about how you show up for them. Be ready to receive it with grace.

• Reflect on one area of personal growth you’re actively working on. Remember, even empresses are works-in-progress.

  
  

A Coronation of Self-Awareness

My dear queens, goddesses, and empresses, Aristotle was dropping truth bombs when he said, “Understanding yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Knowing yourself allows you to shine with clarity in love, friendship, family, and work. It’s your key to thriving—not just surviving—in every relationship you have.

If this resonates, I want to hear about your experiences! How has knowing yourself transformed your life? Drop your wisdom in the comments below or share your story with me on social media. You never know who you might inspire.

From this empress to you, go forth and own the throne. ✨