I noticed myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I noticed myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when reflecting on a personal realization or observation about one's own behavior or feelings. Example: "As I was going through my old journals, I noticed myself becoming more confident over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"I noticed myself thinking about trends," he said.

The New York Times

"I noticed myself being moved, drifting in a certain direction," he said at the scene yesterday.

The New York Times

Then I noticed myself digging the top of my shoe deep into the turf, almost ritualistically, as I stepped across the white line from the sideline to the playing field.

The New York Times - Sports

"Often times I noticed myself looking at an image of a celebrity on ESPN, or TMZ or some other website and wondering what type of sunglasses, or shoes, or jacket that person was wearing.

TechCrunch

When I started going to Central High School, I noticed myself changing.

Huffington Post

My whole week was ruined" you could say, "When I didn't hear from you, I noticed myself feeling less confident.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

To this day I notice myself treating the memory and tradition of the USSR with an indulgence and a tenderness which I do not feel towards communist China, because I belong to the generation for whom the October Revolution represented the hope of the world, as China never did.

The Guardian - Books

When I notice myself ruminating, I do something to distract myself from it, like read a book or watch a movie.

Huffington Post

Lately, in my morning meditation sessions, I've been doing a mental happy dance every time I notice myself absorbed in and distracted by thought.

Huffington Post

I now know that the "worse" my meditation session is, in terms of my mind getting distracted by thought, as long as I notice myself thinking, and gently guide myself back to breath, the better practice I'm getting.

Huffington Post

I barely noticed myself — I had moved my own dim sum custom out to King Hua, Capital and Sea Harbour almost a decade earlier.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I noticed myself" to express a newfound understanding of your own behavior, feelings, or thoughts. It is effective for introspective writing.

Common error

While suitable for personal narratives and reflections, overuse of "I noticed myself" in formal or academic writing can make the text sound less objective. Opt for more direct observations or factual statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I noticed myself" functions as an introspective observation. It expresses a self-awareness of one's own actions, feelings, or state of being. It's about recognizing something within oneself, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I noticed myself" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a personal observation or realization about one's own behavior or feelings. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides examples predominantly from news and media sources. While generally neutral in register, it may be less suited for highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "I became aware of" or "I observed that I" for increased formality. Ludwig's analysis shows that "I noticed myself" serves to convey introspective insights, making it a valuable tool for narrative and reflective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I became aware of myself

Focuses on the dawning of awareness rather than a specific observation.

I realized something about myself

Implies a deeper understanding or insight gained.

I observed my own actions

Highlights the act of watching one's behavior.

I detected a change in myself

Emphasizes the recognition of an alteration within.

I found myself doing something

Suggests an action taken without conscious intent initially.

I caught myself in the act

Highlights being surprised in the middle of doing something.

I recognized a pattern in myself

Focuses on identifying recurring behaviors.

I perceived a shift within me

Emphasizes an internal change in feeling or thought.

I witnessed my own behavior

Focuses on seeing one's actions, often with a sense of detachment.

I understood something about myself

Focuses on acquiring self-knowledge.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I noticed myself" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, replace "I noticed myself" with phrases such as "I observed that I", "I became aware that I", or "It came to my attention that I". These alternatives offer a more detached and professional tone.

What's the difference between "I noticed myself" and "I realized"?

"I noticed myself" often refers to observing a specific action or behavior, while "I realized" implies a deeper understanding or sudden comprehension. For example, "I noticed myself tapping my foot" versus "I realized I was nervous".

Is it grammatically correct to say "I noticed myself"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase uses a reflexive pronoun correctly to indicate that the action of noticing is directed back to the subject, "I".

What are some alternatives to "I noticed myself feeling"?

Depending on the context, you could use "I became aware of feeling", "I sensed", or "I perceived that I was feeling". For example, instead of "I noticed myself feeling anxious", try "I became aware of feeling anxious".