Self Acceptance: How can I learn to accept myself?

Self-acceptance is very powerful and a very important component in having self-confidence.

I’ve had several clients say to me: “How can I learn to accept myself, when I know there’s things about me I don’t like?”

One of the biggest misconceptions that people have about self-acceptance, is that self-acceptance means liking everything about yourself. Not true! You don’t have to like everything that you accept. Acceptance also doesn’t mean approval. For example, accepting the fact that there is discrimination in the world doesn’t mean you approve of discrimination.

Acceptance also doesn’t mean you’re giving up. For example, accepting a doctor’s diagnosis of cancer doesn’t mean you would refuse treatment and give up on becoming healthy again. Acceptance is an attitude. Acceptance is way of looking at ourselves and the world around us. It implies a willingness and an openness to see things as they truly are, without judgment. For example, if you’re feeling insecure, you’re feeling insecure. That’s all. It doesn’t mean it’s horrible or permanent. It doesn’t mean the insecurity will last forever. It doesn’t mean you won’t be able to handle it. It doesn’t mean anything, except that you’re feeling insecure at that time.

Acceptance is powerful, because it alleviates unnecessary suffering. I’m not implying that you won’t feel any more pain, but true self-acceptance will bring you a sense of peace and understanding.

In order to accept yourself, you must learn about your “authentic self” (who you really are) and be able to recognize that you are a unique individual who is growing (not GOING) through life at your own pace.

Self-acceptance means that you are able to separate WHO you are from WHAT you have done. You understand that everyone makes mistakes, and making mistakes is actually a good thing because that’s how we learn! Facing our mistakes and learning from them are always valuable lessons. If you are willing to experience and embrace whatever you think, feel or do, even if you don’t always like it, you will begin to accept yourself and begin to change and grow into the person you want to become.

Here’s 5 tips will help increase your self-acceptance:

• Remind yourself of your unique talents and abilities.
• Accept compliments from others and trust that they are true.
• Give yourself permission to “fail.”
• Own your mistakes and learn from them.
• Be willing to experience and embrace whatever you think, feel or do.

Tired of being unhappy? Do you wish you liked yourself more?

Are you ready to get some help learn how to accept yourself?

Please contact me now, I’d be happy to help you!