Self-awareness theory has generated considerable research, virtually all of which has been either survey studies or experiments in carefully controlled environments. In an attempt to study the relationship of self-awareness to affect by utilizing an experiential time sampling method, two studies were conducted. In the first, undergraduate volunteers (N=40) reported their feelings and activities during the 10-minutes preceding a buzz triggered by a randomly set timer. Data analyses focused on high and low private self-conscious subjects. In the second study undergraduate volunteers (N=23) completed a similar report of feelings following the same stimulus. Data analyses focused on states of private and public self-awareness. The results of both studies indicated that engaging in private self-awareness was not associated with negative affect. The only condition under which private self-awareness was related to affect occurred when the presence or absence of others was a factor. The results indicate that the time sampling method, as an alternative to experimental designs, can be an effective method of obtaining data from respondents providing that care is taken in the research design. (AG)