4 easy ways to practice self-acceptance everyday

Self-acceptance is acceptance of yourself, strengths, weaknesses, failures, and flaws. When you truly accept yourself, you embrace all your qualities and characteristics without exception. In a society embroiled in judgement and comparison, this is difficult for many of us.

Self-acceptance is important for true self-improvement. Whether it is wishing to lose weight, improve your public speaking skills or increase your confidence, the best point to start that journey is from a place of feeling good enough. When you embrace your weaknesses and imperfections, in addition to your strengths and assets, you embody true self-acceptance. This is easier said than done. Continue reading to learn four easy ways to practice self-acceptance.

1. Write down what makes you, you

In the free initial consultation I have with all clients, I pose the question, what do you think of yourself? Sometimes this question hits people where it hurts, and the response is sad. Not much, very little, not worthy, etc. Other people respond with a description of themselves that includes positives and negatives. If you struggle to describe yourself, begin by considering how a friend or family member would describe you. What parts of you do you show other people? Then think about the 'you' that only you know. Consider your characteristics, your achievements, and your skills. What aspects of yourself do you consider a strength? And what parts are good enough, but not your Olympic sport? It takes effort to write this out. When your self-esteem is low, it becomes difficult to be kind to yourself. Dig deep and make the effort – you might surprise yourself with the qualities you find.

2. Write out your values

When you live as your authentic self, it is easier to accept yourself. Values are not something everyone considers daily, but when you have values and live by them, it is easier to stand strong and feel confident in who you are. Values are the views or beliefs that you base your choices on. Things that feel important to you as an individual. Think about the traits you admire in yourself or others. For example, do you value honesty? What global issues resonate with you? For example, do you feel frustrated when you see how much plastic is in the ocean, or do you worry about climate change? What can you commit to in your life to help? What else is important to you?

Some people use hypnotherapy to help them find the confidence to commit to their values. When your values go against the grain or do not feel trendy enough, it takes strength and confidence to break the mould. Some hypnotherapy sessions will help you with this confidence, so you can live an authentic life.

3. Recognise the achievement in everyday tasks

Most of us go through each day without celebration. You clean, tidy, organise, care for others, administrate, plan and do it all over again. You achieve every task because of positive characteristics. It is possible to feel like you do nothing when you ignore your day-to-day achievements.  Write down the tasks you completed over the past few weeks, and the part of you that made it happen. The part that cares, the diligent part, your motivation, your fun side, your risky side, the daredevil in you, your commitment, your dedication... You might find a list of characteristics you did not even know you had!

4. Turn your wishes into admiration

Admiring others is a normal human trait. Sometimes we confuse admiration with wanting to look like or be the other person. We admire different people for different reasons. You might like one person’s hair, another person’s commitment, the next person’s strength, etc.

Who and what would you be if you combined all these traits? They might not fit together quite so perfectly!

Is your desire rational? Or can you enjoy the positives of other people, creating more space for them in your life? When you switch your mindset from wishing you were something else to enjoying the thing, you feel pleasure rather than pain. If there is a trait in someone else that you feel would fit your life, ask about it. Is it something you can change? I admire the strength of my personal trainer. However, I recognise she spends a few hours per day exercising as she teaches classes. I like my job too much to switch careers. I can commit to around forty minutes of exercise each day, but to do a few hours I’d need to retrain as a fitness instructor. This is not a route I want to take, so I will admire her strength, knowing I do enough now, and if I want it, I must change my life. I practice self-acceptance and accept my current strength as enough.

When self-acceptance feels impossible

A hypnotherapist can help you on your journey to self-acceptance. The therapy room is a safe, supportive environment to explore your qualities without judgement. There is space to talk about the aspects of yourself you consider weaknesses or flaws, and together consider ways to accept yourself as good enough and practice self-improvement from a healthier start point. If you struggle to know yourself, some hypnotherapy sessions will give you the tools for introspection.