ThePeopleAlchemist Edit:  Be your best self – #SmashYourCeiling, change starts from within -Business & Lifestyle Experimentation for #TheWomanAlchemist

Today is Lesson 2 to build self-acceptance: self-compassion. Yesterday we talked about how crucial self-awareness is for building self-acceptance.

Which means seeing yourself as a person who has imperfections as well as virtues and qualities. And that’s important because there are many things that we can’t change about ourselves (height, for example).

Moreover, being accepting of yourself contributes to developing emotional resilience. And that will improve your wellbeing. 

Lesson 2 to Build Self-Acceptance: Self-Compassion

Self-compassion is necessary for building self-acceptance. What you say to yourself is crucial. Punishing yourself is harmful to your psychological wellbeing.
A way to start practising self-compassion is forgiveness. That means forgiving yourself for the mistakes you’ve made. And for anything and everything that you are punishing yourself for, for that matter. Firstly the reality is you did what you could. Secondly and most importantly, you did what you could with the information you had at the time. You were doing your best. Yes, perhaps today, you would do things differently. Bur everyone is a magician with the gift of insight.

The impossibly high standards that demand perfection are paralysing you. Moreover, judging your failures ruthlessly whilst overlooking your accomplishments is not helpful either.
Look at yourself like you would at your best friend. Look at yourself with compassion. With a more loving stance accepting all parts of you – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Some reading on the Topic

“The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown is an excellent book for those pursuing self-acceptance.

Her work on shame and vulnerability has helped many people to overcome any “shoulds” in their mind. And then replace them with self-acceptance of who they indeed are. 

Available on Amazon.

See you tomorrow for lesson 3 of 7 lessons to build self-acceptance x

Change starts from within; that’s why training your consciousness should be your Priority Numero 1 – a daily practice to silence your inner critic.