Hello, host. I hope my answer can be of some help to you.
It's important to distinguish between self-acceptance and self-care. Self-acceptance is not about indulging or pampering yourself. It's about accepting yourself as you are, and that's not the same as self-indulgence.
Could I perhaps ask what is meant by the term "self-acceptance"?
The American psychologist G. W. Allport proposed that self-acceptance is a characteristic of a healthy and mature personality.
Olport offers the following definition: an individual loves and accepts himself and his characteristics, recognizing the positive value of everything about himself, including his body, abilities, character, reputation, etc., and accepting his reality.
It can be seen in feelings of pride in one's material self, including one's body, clothing, and possessions; satisfaction with one's social self, including one's social status and reputation; and pleasure in one's spiritual self.
It could be said that self-acceptance is the foundation of self-confidence and self-change. It may be the case that the lack of self-worth and feelings of shame caused by a lack of self-acceptance are at the heart of many anxieties, depressions, obsessive-compulsive disorders, personality disorders and many other negative experiences.
Self-acceptance can be defined as an individual's positive attitude towards oneself and one's own characteristics. This could be described as being happy with one's real situation, not being proud of one's strengths, and not feeling inferior about one's weaknesses. In addition, self-acceptance could be considered a birthright.
It is not necessary for a person to have outstanding merits, achievements, or make changes that others want in order to be accepted.
According to psychologist Abraham Maslow, a healthy person is able to accept themselves and human nature without feeling upset or complaining about it. We can live well with our shortcomings and imperfections, just as we accept the natural qualities of water and rocks.
Accepting oneself involves understanding one's position, recognizing one's needs and desires, and acknowledging one's capabilities and limitations.
Accepting oneself can be defined as the ability to calmly accept one's own imperfections, to be patient with oneself, and to believe that one can continue to improve and grow in reality.
Accepting oneself can be defined as a process of valuing and cherishing one's own qualities and attributes, while also respecting the unique characteristics of others. It involves being able to view the differences between oneself and others in an objective manner, and understanding that one's life is a special and unique journey. Even without external validation, one can develop a sense of self-acceptance and understanding.
Accepting yourself means that when you make a mistake, you recognize that just one thing or one action is wrong, without necessarily concluding that your entire being is bad. Allowing yourself to make mistakes and seeing them as part of life can also be a helpful way to grow.
Accepting oneself may be defined as accepting all the real phenomena in life. This could entail being neither subjective nor bigoted, nor arrogant nor humble.
As the renowned quote by Romain Rolland suggests, there is a kind of heroism that comes from loving life after understanding its truths.
For this reason, it is also important to love ourselves after taking the time to understand ourselves clearly.
It would be inaccurate to suggest that self-acceptance is self-indulgence.
Some people may find comfort in the idea of "letting nature take its course" as a way to explain the challenges and obstacles they face in life. However, it's important to recognize that true letting nature take its course is not about stagnation or inaction, but rather about aligning with one's true purpose and moving forward with intention.
Some people may use the concept of self-acceptance as a way to avoid facing challenges or imperfections in life. This can be a form of self-deception, particularly when we encounter difficulties or setbacks and feel unable to cope. It's important to recognize that having a strong inner self and confidence is essential for navigating life's challenges.
It's similar to someone struggling with anxiety who is unable to venture out alone and is reluctant to work. When they are advised by a psychologist to embrace themselves, their immediate response might be that since they are unable to go out or socialize, they might as well accept this version of themselves and simply not change. They may decide to venture out in the future if they are able to, and if not, that will be their decision. They have to accept this version of themselves anyway...
I would suggest that this is not quite the same as self-acceptance.
True self-acceptance is not about indulging yourself. Since self-acceptance means "adopting a positive attitude towards oneself in all things," it is important to face the reality of the situation and give yourself time to make constant breakthroughs and changes. There is no need to hurry, but it is important to take your time. Self-acceptance requires a process, as does change.
Ultimately, the goal of self-acceptance is for individuals to confront their true selves, embrace them, and then set off from that foundation to further improve themselves.
As previously mentioned, when we are unable to leave the house due to anxiety, it is important to accept this situation as a first step towards change. However, there is still hope for us. Even if we are currently unable to leave the house, there is still the possibility of going out to work and socialize in the future.
It would be beneficial at this time to acknowledge that change does not happen overnight, accept all the negative experiences that will happen after we step outside our homes, and give ourselves time to take things slowly. Believing that on the basis of accepting the current situation, we can slowly overcome such fears and move towards a new life may also be helpful.
Here are a few suggestions on how to achieve self-acceptance.
It can be challenging to accept ourselves, and this is often related to our growth experience. During our growth, we may have felt rejected or criticized, which can leave a lasting impact. When we face challenges or perceive shortcomings, it's natural for a voice in our hearts to emerge, reflecting past experiences and prompting self-rejection or criticism.
It is worth noting that self-acceptance requires practice. I myself also practiced for a long time before I gradually improved my level of self-acceptance. While it is undoubtedly challenging to completely accept oneself, I have found that the more we accept ourselves, the more confident we become and the more motivated we are to change.
It may be helpful to view self-acceptance as a skill that can be developed through daily practice, rather than as an innate trait. This approach allows us to recognize that, like any skill, self-acceptance can be acquired through consistent effort.
We are pleased to present five ways to cultivate self-acceptance, as revealed by clinical psychologists:
1. Consider setting a goal of self-acceptance.
"Self-acceptance begins with intention," suggests psychologist Jeffrey Samber. "It may be helpful to consider setting a goal for ourselves to transform a world of blame, doubt, and shame into a world of inclusion, acceptance, and trust." This idea acknowledges that self-loathing may not be the most conducive to a satisfying life.
Sambur suggests that if we set the goal that a life of self-acceptance is much better than a life of self-hatred, we may find ourselves starting a chain reaction within ourselves to adapt to a peaceful life.
2. Consider recording your strengths.
It may be helpful to write down one of your strengths every day, affirm your own value, and see your own strengths. This could help you discover your strengths. Playing to your strengths might also give you more confidence than correcting your weaknesses.
In today's society, we have the opportunity to compensate for our shortcomings through cooperation, and our strengths will reflect our unique value.
3. It may be helpful to seek support from interpersonal relationships.
It may be helpful to spend time with people you feel comfortable with, who will give you unconditional acceptance, support, and love. This could help you to establish a supportive relationship that will make you feel more stable, peaceful, and joyful.
4. Consider speaking with your inner self.
Take a moment to imagine interacting with your best self. Imagine that your best self, the one deep within, has stepped out of your body and is looking at your current living environment or situation. What would it suggest you do?
This visualization of separation may help you to move beyond your current self, or the self that is suffering, and to tap into your inner wisdom, which is your best self, to facilitate healing.
This exercise offers guidance on how to become our own best parents and show compassion and love for ourselves. You may find it helpful to spend a few minutes meditating and doing this exercise when you are in crisis or need some guidance or self-comfort.
5. It may be helpful to try to act in a way that aligns with your desired way of being.
If you feel you are not a valuable person, it may help to give yourself value and hold onto this belief. Once we can accept ourselves unconditionally, we may find it easier to forgive our mistakes and give up the need for approval from others.
It is likely that we have all made mistakes in our lives, as have many others. Our identity is not necessarily defined by our mistakes.
When we lack something within, we may look for it outside ourselves. If we cannot accept ourselves, we may crave acceptance from others, but we should remember that everything outside is, to some extent, unstable. Therefore, seeking inward may be the only way to gain stable acceptance. When we achieve self-acceptance, we may find that we no longer care so much about the approval and evaluation of others, and we may gain true inner freedom.
I would like to suggest some books on self-acceptance and self-care.
You might find it helpful to read "Accepting Imperfect Self," "The Power of Self-Care," and "Rebuilding Your Life."
It is my hope that you will be able to accept yourself, learn to care for yourself, build up your inner strength, and gain inner stability and freedom.
Wishing you the best.
Comments
Acceptance and selfcare are not about indulgence; they're about acknowledging our needs and limits. It's important to listen to yourself without overindulging. Finding the right balance means setting healthy boundaries and practicing moderation. There are indeed some great books that explore this topic, like "The Art of Happiness" which delves into finding contentment.
I think acceptance and selfcare get misunderstood as being lazy or selfish. In reality, it's about sustaining your mental health by giving yourself permission to rest and heal. To strike a balance, we need to be honest with ourselves about what we truly need versus what we want in the moment. Books such as "Radical Acceptance" offer profound insights into embracing oneself fully.
Balancing selfcare with daily responsibilities can be tricky. It's not just pampering but involves making thoughtful choices that support our wellbeing. The key is to integrate selfcare naturally into our lives, not as an extra task. For reading, "Wherever You Go, There You Are" discusses mindfulness practices that can help achieve this equilibrium.
Selfcare isn't about spoiling yourself; it's about maintaining a sustainable lifestyle that nurtures both body and mind. We must learn to differentiate between nurturing acts and those that could lead to excess. A book I found helpful is "The SelfCare Revolution," which guides readers on how to build a healthier relationship with themselves.
To me, acceptance and selfcare mean recognizing when you need to recharge without feeling guilty. It's a matter of integrating small, manageable habits that don't disrupt your life. Achieving this balance requires reflection and patience. "The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brené Brown speaks beautifully to these themes of worthiness and selfacceptance.