Self Acceptance And Happiness
We often think that who we are is not enough or wrong. We compare ourselves to others and imagine that they have it all figured out; that they are correct or living as they should. Do we see ourselves from a place of complete acceptance? We often judge ourselves by what we are not. In order to live your life fully, you must come to a place of complete acceptance for who you are.
Self Acceptance
Self-acceptance is the awareness of your strengths and weaknesses with the realistic appraisal of your talents, capabilities, and worth and feeling of satisfaction with your self, despite flaws and regardless of past choices. When someone accepts themselves, they accept all facets of themselves. The good, the bad, and even the ugly. When we are self-accepting, we learn to even love our flaws.
Self Acceptance and Happiness
According to Robert Holden, author of Happiness Now!: Happiness and self-acceptance go hand in hand. In fact, your level of self-acceptance determines your level of happiness. The more self-acceptance you have, the more happiness youll allow yourself to accept, receive and enjoy. In other words, you enjoy as much happiness as you believe youre worthy of.
So basically: self-acceptance is equal to happiness
If you accept yourself you are inevitably setting yourself up to be happy.One the most important aspect of self-acceptance is that it is unconditional. Very often we only love ourselves when we are doing well or when we accomplish a goal.Self-acceptance teaches us that we should love ourselves no matter what. Even if we fail or make a mistake, we are still valuable. This, in turn, allows our happiness to be unconditional as well. Our joy is not based on whether or not someone likes us. It is based on who we are, not what we do or how people perceive us.
Theres freedom and happiness to be found in accepting however you feel at any moment. You thrive and move forward the moment you wholeheartedly accept the way you are. To accept yourself means to not deny or suppress what youre feeling but you acknowledge it. You are aware of it rather than tyrannizing and treating yourself harshly because youre going through negative or unpleasant emotions.
Real growth happens when you accept your own shit, face the negative stories youve been telling yourself and stop judging yourself. Now you can see yourself clearly, as you are, and not as you want your life to be.In order to create the life you want; you first must accept what and where you are right now and acknowledge what you dont want to hear about yourself.
How to Accept Ourselves?
Here are the few points I have collected that might help us to accept ourselves and walk towards the journey of happiness:
Gratitude
Though it may sometimes be hard to appreciate all that is good about ourselves, it is important to keep reminding yourself of all that you do and have, all the qualities and abilities, friends and comforts and you can do that by simply being grateful.Thank yourself for doing all that you do.
Treat Yourself Well
Most people are nicer to other people than they are to themselves. The power of acceptance means you must treat yourself with the same kindness as you treat your best friends and family. Edit the thoughts in your head. If you would not say those negative and cruel things to others, then you should not be saying them to yourself.
Acknowledging achievements
On a daily basis, you succeed and you achieve and you manage to exist. Acknowledging this will help increase your self-worth and self-acceptance. Doing your best in as much as you can also enhances your self-worth. Pat yourself on the back daily.
No need for perfection
Always keep in mind that nobody is perfect and you dont need to be nor is it possible for any of us to be perfect all the time. Cut yourself some slack, dont be hard on yourself in your thoughts, and dont beat yourself up over mistakes we all make.
Forgiving yourself
Weve all made mistakes. Its called being human. Stop punishing yourself by thinking about all of your failures and disappointments in life. You have to quiet your inner cynic if you want to enjoy life. Once you stop looking backwards, then you can open yourself up to an exciting future where you can shine. Tap into your strengths and passions so that you can offer your unique gifts to the world and live the meaningful life you were meant to live. Approach your future with a positive attitude, always remembering to honour who you are and what you want.
Create a Positive Support System
Surround yourself with people that accept you and believe in you. Carefully select friends and romantic partners based on how they make you feel. Do they build you up, or tear you down. If you want to be happy, you have to spend time with happy people who make you feel good about yourself. Its that simple.
Following your dreams and doing something you love
We all have a very unique, individual light that deserves to shine. You may find it in your dreams and ambitions, in your talents and gifts. Find it and practice what you love and are good at. This will give you a sense of achievement and strengthen your self-acceptance. Love your dreams and keep them alive, they are a reflection of your true, authentic and precious being. Find activities you love and pursue them. Doing something you love will always increase your happiness.
Remembering the love
Its love that makes it all worthwhile and loving yourself plays a vital part in your happiness. And when you are feeling low and cannot see any good in yourself remember all those who love you regardless of achievements, despite your mistakes – just as you are.
Self-acceptance Affirmations (Mantra)
These are few self acceptance mantras you can repeat to yourself:
I love myself
I am worth it
I can get through this
I dont have to be perfect
I am grateful for all that my body, heart and mind do
I have achieved lots and can achieve more
I dont have to be on top of my game all the time
Its okay to make mistakes
I always try my best
I am my own best friend
I love lots of people
I am loved by lots of people
I love myself
Everything comes easier if you have a good relationship with yourself. Be your own best friend.
Resources:
https://tinybuddha.com/blog/key-to-happiness-accept-yourself-stop-seeking-approval/
https://www.happiness.com/en/magazine/personal-growth/self-acceptance/
Discussion Questions:
What might be the reason that self acceptance is hard?
How do you think is self acceptance related to happiness?
Do you accept yourself for what you are? If yes, what helped you in the journey of self acceptance? If not, what might help you?
What are your Self acceptance Mantras?
Would love to hear all of your thoughts on it!!
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THIS POST IS A BLESSING. IT IS SL GOOD!!!! I know I say that rather lot, but this is so, so, good. Like, years later people will be referring to it and going 'ah, posts used to be really good back then. Remember that self acceptance one?' Songs will be sung and tales created of the legendary post of the river great. And soon something awesome will be called ' oh yeah, that's so river.' it's just.... AWESOME.
What might be the reason that self acceptance is hard?
Because it is hard to appreciate your own self. You can 'see' the things others have achieved but iys difficult to do so for ourselves. And when we can't accept our accomplishments, we feel like we haven't done anything to deserve praise.
How do you think is self acceptance related to happiness?
Because once you get comfortable in your own skin, you don't have to depend on others for it. You 'create your own sunshine'. One thing (among an infinite others) that I loved in your post was 'we often judge ourselves by what we are not' I just loved that!! And once we stop doing it, we will definitely be happy.
Do you accept yourself for what you are? If yes, what helped you in the journey of self acceptance? If not, what might help you?
I do like the way I am. I mean I know I am basically a heap of mistakes and stuff gone wrong, but at least its my heap of mistakes. My stuff gone wrong. I know that I am not enough, not the best the wittiest the sweetest or the most beautiful one, but I still like myself
What are your Self acceptance Mantras?
I really don't have any. At the extreme when I really need to hear it, I just tell myself 'you are a human not a barbie. Only Plastic is perfect'. That's it. But I don't think of it as a mantra
@black1995
You know you are totally the fantastically awesomesauce person I have had opportunity to meet? If not, know it haha!! You can totally make someone's day brighter by your words!!
And I totally loved your answers!! Bad things doesnt define us and creating our own sunshine is so true! We defo are human and are supposed to be flawed one way or other, Only plastic is perfect! Even if not mantra, I loved it!!