How can you learn to accept yourself better? When it comes to our appearance, our weight and certain habits, many people are too hard on themselves on a daily basis. We smooth out our facial wrinkles with our hands in front of the mirror or apologize for certain peculiarities - almost reflexively. In short, we are often not at peace with ourselves. But how can other people appreciate us if we don't even accept ourselves as we are?
In this article, I would like to explain the importance of self-love and then give you some valuable tips for more self-acceptance that you can easily integrate into your everyday life. Let's go!
In advance, here are the promised tips at a glance:
- An honest look at yourself
- Listen to yourself
- Thought Stop
- Indulge in exercise
- Maintain hobbies
- Focus on the good
- Be your own best friend
Why acceptance is so important - also from ourselves
Accepting something often sounds like it to our ears at first, add something. There is a bitter aftertaste, as if we are left dissatisfied in a situation that we just have to endure. Giving up. A defeat.
But the opposite is true: if you keep battling against something that you may not be able to change, you are only wasting energy unnecessarily. It's depressing and frustrating. This energy could be put to much better use.
"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance."
Oscar Wilde (more at Self Love Quotes)
Acceptance is a precursor to greater satisfaction. The first step is to recognize what we don't like. Now the question arises: Can it be changed or not? Thereby a lot of ballast falls from our shouldersas soon as we let go of things that we can't change anyway.
Conversely, acceptance is also an opportunity for improvement when we realize: "I can make a difference here." Once we accept the current circumstances as they are, it is much easier for us to find ways out of previously seemingly hopeless situations.
Self-imposed stress let up!
However, we find acceptance particularly difficult when it comes to ourselves. Those who find it difficult to accept themselves often struggle with Feelings of inferiority and self-doubtthat lead to seeking external recognition. If there is no appreciation, this reinforces the negative self-image of not being good enough. So you disguise yourself. A vicious circle begins. How stressful, isn't it? And this self-imposed Stress can make you sick in the long run.
To get out of the spiral of self-doubt, dejection, and frustration, you can get into more Practicing self-acceptance. This way, you put less pressure on yourself, strengthen your personal self-awareness and ideally also your self-confidence. The following tips will help you!
1. an honest look at yourself
In order to accept yourself, you first have to find out who you are actually dealing with. So get to know yourself anew - with your strengths and weaknesses. What do you like about yourself and what aspects of yourself do you dislike? In which situations do you excel and what behavior do you dislike about yourself? Go ahead and make a list.
How does it feel to look at yourself? Perhaps you can already feel something as you write. In fact, something often changes in us when we practise self-acceptance. When we let go, the A clear view for new perspectives.
For example, you might experience something like this: "I accept that I am jealous and suddenly feel more relaxed as a result." Or: "I accept my appearance, which changes my charisma in a positive way."
2. listen to yourself
In everyday life, we sometimes put our needs on the back burner and don't even realize it at first. So listen to yourself more often. Do you really want to go to the party tonight or are you just going because your friends want to go? Find out what food you like, what music you like and try something new.
So you hear in challenging situations and think to yourself: What do you need right now to make you feel better? What would comfort you right now?
3. thought stop
Many of us have Beliefs internalizedwhich often do not originate from ourselves, but which we have adopted from parents, friends or colleagues. They emerge in certain situations - as our inner voice, which then says, for example: "This always happens to me!"
It is an act of self-care when you interrupt the carousel of thoughts to refocus on yourself. Any kind of meditation and Mindfulness exercise can be helpful in the implementation and promote your self-acceptance.
Tip: On the subject of "Living Sustainably" opinions and beliefs shaped over generations collide. That is why it is often not easy, for example, to Getting parents excited about sustainability. In the linked article you can find out how it still works quite well 🙂
4. treat yourself to exercise
Of course, you can't run away from problems.Nevertheless: Exercise alleviates stress. Especially if you feel like you're running on empty or if your thoughts are always circling around the same thing in your head, it's helpful to simply let a breath of fresh air blow around your nose, the Dancing or jogging away worries.
Whether it's running, cycling, yoga or swimming - find a Sport that you enjoy. This will keep you on the ball. You'll soon be able to enjoy the kilometers you've covered, more relaxation in your everyday life and, of course, an improved mood.Dancing in particular promotes our well-being. Regular exercise stimulates the release of happiness hormones, which include the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.
Idea: The sport Plogging combined Stress Relief and environmental protection together by jogging and collecting garbage along the way at the same time. Maybe this is something for you!
5. cultivate hobbies
Whether gardening, knitting orSave food and share - no matter what your interests are: the world is huge and there is a good chance that there are other people out there who share them with you. In the digital age, they are easier to find than ever before and maybe you can start a local or online group and exchange ideas with them. Live out your hobbies, interests and talents. Get to know new people and promote your self-acceptance in this way.
6. focus on the good
When things don't go as planned, it can really get on your nerves. In such situations, we tend to really only see the negative. Nevertheless, we shouldn't lose sight of the good things in life. So remind yourself of them regularly. How can you do this?
By getting every evening, think about or perhaps even write down three things that were good that day. It's easy to build up an impressive collection of beautiful memories that you can look at in bad moments.
7. be your own best friend
If a good friend has had a bad day, you have words of encouragement at the ready. You find out what you can do to make her feel better and maybe half an hour later you're already on the mat with her favorite meal. Why don't you treat yourself as nicely in the future? If you are once again struggling with a situation or are unhappy with yourself, show yourself a lot of understanding and a little more self-love.
Self-acceptance 2.0 - Accept yourself as you are!
Changes in life are often difficult for us humans. The desire to learn to accept yourself is also a change in some respects. However, it is much easier to achieve this if you accept possible weaknesses, faults and flaws for what they are. Realize that you don't have to find everything about yourself perfect and great and love it unconditionally - a great weight will fall from your shoulders and your Make life easier. Simply because your inner critics fall silent.
"Courage is at the beginning of an action, happiness at the end."
Democritus (more under Courage Quotes)
I hope that with this article I can help you to achieve more self-acceptance, self-love and, last but not least, greater self-confidence. Do you have any questions, suggestions or further tips for more acceptance and respect towards yourself? Then I look forward to your comment.
Stay yourself,
PS.: Also Being outdoors in natureIt helps to come to terms with yourself. Try it times with the Forest bathing - You can find out what this is and why it is so good for you in the linked article.
