5 simple practices to help boost self-acceptance

Education & Career Trends: April 3, 2023
Curated by the Knowledge Team of  ICS Career GPS

---

---

• Excerpts are taken from an article published on hindustantimes.com.

---

self-acceptance is an aspect that we build up over time across all areas – personal, professional, academic, physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, etc. like a skill. Let’s say, you feel that you aren’t at a desired state of being at a particular point in time, do you criticise yourself for it or do you accept yourself as who and what you are then(note that many internal and external factors play a role)? Especially when you are sincerely working towards achieving your goals.

Self-acceptance is a key to happier living and improving your overall well-being. It also helps you control your emotions

A lack of self-acceptance cripples the perception of happiness and harms your psychological and emotional health. It keeps you trapped in the negative image of yourself, and these negative thoughts cycle further to create negative emotions.

Here are five things you can do to boost self-acceptance:

1. Show compassion for yourself

• The first step in self-acceptance is showing compassion for yourself, and accepting your weaknesses and imperfections.
• Instead of dwelling on the past, think about what can you change right now about yourself in the present.
• Look at all areas of life- mental, spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical.
• See which part of you needs more compassion and acceptance.

2. Monitor negative self-talk

• Much of our negative self-talk happens in our subconscious, which means most of us are not consciously aware of our negative self-talk.
• To bring such thoughts into awareness, try to quiet your mind and notice your inner thoughts and feelings.
• What makes you anxious? What are you ashamed of? Which parts of yourself do you try to avoid thinking about?

3. Calm down your inner critic

• Another way to help generate acceptance for yourself is to notice your inner critic.
• That voice constantly tells you not to be satisfied with yourself and sets high expectations.
• Be aware of expectations which might be counterintuitive and false.

4. Emphasise your strengths

• Write down your 3 strengths and water them.
• Energy is believed to be directed where the focus lies.
• Focusing more on what is right, instead of what is lacking or not enough, will make it easier to move towards self-acceptance.

5. Stop comparing yourself with those around you

• One reason self-acceptance is challenging is that we constantly compare ourselves to others.
• When you stop comparing yourself to others, it opens the doors for you to look at your unique values.
• External validation is important but so is being satisfied and confident in yourself.

…

---

Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet?

How starting a YouTube Channel can help you as a Freelancer

---

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)

Like this post? For more such helpful articles, click on the button below and subscribe FREE to our blog.

---