If you struggle with your mental health, as many people do, learning to accept yourself can make a difference in a multitude of ways. It takes practice to get to a state of self-acceptance, but it can be an important step on a path to a more fulfilling life.
Self-acceptance means accepting yourself and who you are, including your differences, without self-judgment. This does not mean that you can’t grow or change, but it does mean accepting things about yourself that you can’t change. You’re accepting the whole package that is who you are now, accepting who you can become, and accepting your limitations.
Self-acceptance should not, however, be an excuse not to work on being a better person in some way. All human beings are fallible, have flaws, and make mistakes. You can accept your flaws and then work to overcome them.
Self-acceptance is also not arrogance. You’re accepting all of yourself, good and bad, but not drawing a line in the sand that says that you’re not willing to change and improve.
Whether you have mental health issues or not, self-acceptance can improve your mental health and your overall well-being in several ways.
Self-acceptance is not something that just comes to most people with a snap of the fingers. It’s a state that you have to come to through self-exploration and practice. Here are some steps that you can take to help you to achieve a state of self-acceptance.
We’ve all made mistakes and sometimes feel guilty for a long time afterwards. You need to reflect on your mistakes and forgive yourself so that you can let go of the guilt. Whatever mistakes you’ve made, you’re not the only one that’s ever made them. You can go back in time, but you can avoid the same mistakes in the future. Let it go.
You’re still going to make mistakes in the future. Get into the mindset that mistakes that you make are opportunities to learn and grow.
Talking to yourself can be healthy if you’re speaking positively. Focus on the good things about you and tell yourself about it. It’s a great way to start your day to say something like “I’m a capable, smart person, and I can tackle this day and make it a great one.”
Cognitive awareness means being aware of your thoughts and challenging the negative ones. If you catch yourself criticizing or judging yourself, stop, and turn those thoughts into positive ones.
To not judge yourself, you have to stop judging others. Accepting other people for who they are can be a big step in accepting yourself.
We all have imperfections, or sometimes just what we perceive as imperfections. You might think your nose is too big, or that you’re not tall enough. Instead of being self-critical of those things, embrace them as part of what makes you uniquely you.
Comparing ourselves to others is easy, especially if you’re on social media where people tend to only put their best foot forward. Don’t compare yourself to people, thinking that they’re more successful or better looking than you. Be comfortable with yourself and your life.
Perhaps the most important way to accept yourself, is to practice self-compassion. Be understanding of yourself when you’re facing challenges, just as you would for someone else. Step outside yourself and see yourself empathetically.
If you have people in your life who criticize you or judge you, it’s best to avoid them. You don’t need to be around people who tear you down. Instead, spend more time with the people who accept you for who you are and appreciate you.
Self-acceptance can have a powerful effect on your mental health and well-being. While it’s not always easy to embrace who you are, you can follow some steps to achieve a mental state in which you are more secure and confident. New England Medical Group offers mental health services that can help you to get there. Reach out today to learn more.
