Being able to accept yourself is top two, and its not two. It sets the tone for so much, including how people see and treat you… but it is easier said than done.
You may not think it, but being able to accept yourself is a key step in maintaining your mental health. When you value yourself, not only do you have better relationships with people, but you’re in a better position to cope with the difficult times that may come in your life.
Now to be honest, I could just recommend some self help books or some affirmation pages and send you guys on your way, but I feel like practical tips are so much better. It is (well to me lmao) easier to make changes when you know what that looks like, you know?
With this week being mental health awareness week, this blog for me came at a perfect time. I hope the four tips I shared will help you on your journey to self acceptance.
1. Don’t Compare Yourself
Now I know I did a whole blog on comparison, but whew it is such a key point, especially with us being bored in the house. When consuming so much more on social media, it’s no doubt why we would compare ourselves to the realities that people let us see. However, accepting yourself starts with being comfortable with where you are now. It’s okay to not have it al together right now, what is for you will never ever pass you.
2. Acknowledge Your Strengths
A lot of the time, we spend so much time thinking about what we’re not good at and what we can’t do instead of what we are good at. We focus on the negatives and allow it to affect how we view ourselves, which in turn affects our idea of our worth. Sometimes we need to take stock of what we’ve achieved so far because you’ll be so surprised at how much you can do. When you’re doubting your endless possibilities, try writing down the hardships you’ve overcome or even the things you’ve accomplished so you remember how amazing you are.
3. Challenge Your Unhelpful Thoughts
A lot of us are guilty of thinking negative about ourselves. We tell ourselves ‘you’re not good enough’, ‘you’re not different enough’ or even tell ourselves that ‘you’re not going to be successful’ and honestly you don’t need those thought processes in your life. When you’re down, your inner voice can seem like a voice of reason, when it really is just a harsh judgement and not reality at all. Try to separate your fact from fiction, and accept that these negative thoughts are just fiction. After all you’re human and you’re doing the best you can and to be fair that’s all you can really do.
4. Fake It Till You Make It
This is one of my favourite ones because it is literally my life. I have been faking it till I make it and so far so good (I guess). Practice makes perfect, and if you continue to act like the person you know you will become, as well as doing things to enhance yourself to be that person, eventually that is who you will become. Be kind to yourself and be patient with yourself.
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I know it’s a short post, but I hope it’s a powerful one where some gems are dropped. Accept yourself first. You are worthy of the love, support and generosity you give to everyone else, so allow some of that for yourself too.
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love,
S♡
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“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7