Sometimes we think of self-improvement in terms of accomplishments - getting better grades, making more money, learning new skills.
But what about simply accepting yourself, flaws and all?
And do we even know what self-acceptance means?
Self-acceptance means embracing who you are, without harsh self-judgment.
It's about recognizing your self-worth, regardless of what you have achieved or not.
Easier said than done, I know! However, research shows self-acceptance is linked to greater psychological health and well-being.
So how do we get better at self-acceptance?
Here are some ideas:
Be kind to yourself
Notice critical inner voices and talk to yourself with compassion. Don't beat yourself up over imperfections - that leads nowhere positive.
Focus on strengths
Make a list of things you appreciate about yourself, like creativity, loyalty, or a sense of humor. Return to this when you feel inadequate. It took me a long time to do this one simple thing, but it helps.
Let go of comparisons
Reject the impulse to measure your own life by social media feeds showing carefully curated highlights. It’s so easy to compare yourself with others, but you don’t know anything about them. You don’t know their struggles and their past. Just work on yourself. Run your own race.
Forgive past mistakes
We've all messed up somehow. And if we keep thinking about these mistakes, we’ll stay stuck in the past. Just forgive yourself and move forward.
Spend time alone
Solitude allows us to connect with ourselves without distraction or judgment from others. This is extremely hard in the beginning especially if you’re an overthinker like me.
Start slowly, even 15 minutes helps. Sit alone without any distractions and focus on your breathing. At first, you can listen to some audio if you want. It never worked for me but I have seen many people find guided meditation or some audio helpful.
All this takes practice.
Start small.
The next time you start criticizing yourself, ask yourself “Would I talk this way to someone I cared about?” If not, don't talk that way to yourself.
Remember, progress over perfection.
Growth requires self-compassion, not self-rejection. We all deserve to appreciate ourselves as we take this journey.
Wishing you clarity and kindness,
Sushmita 💙