Self-acceptance is a lifelong battle for many people. As someone who has been going on her own self-love journey over the past few years, I still struggle with it.
In the past two years, I have learned much about loving myself and respecting my body. With a disordered diet and exercise history and a previous toxic relationship, I’ve come a long way. You can read more about my journey here.
In that time, I’ve learned a few things that have helped me on my own self-acceptance journey, particularly in regard to my body’s changes and my own body image.
I’m still learning a lot and have days where I struggle. But I’m proud of my progress and hope I can enlighten others to embark on their own.
Before we start, save or pin this post so you can come back to it later when you need some inspiration or a gentle reminder 🙂
Self-Acceptance Tips
Here are some tips to consider in learning self-acceptance.
Tip #1. Time Always Passes
Yes, we all know that you can’t stop time. Nor can you go back in time.
Regardless of where you are right now, you will be somewhere else in the future.
As existential as that may be, if you embrace this concept it can be exciting.
Think about it, 1 year is going to pass regardless of our actions. So you can keep giving up in that year and never achieve your goals because “a year feels like a long time.”
Or, you can embrace a year, stick to your plan and you will make progress.
If you are trying to lose weight or put on muscle or whatever it is that is in your health and wellness goals, it is going to take time. Likely a lot of time.
Don’t let the thought of time discourage you from trying. A year will come and go. I’m sure you would rather have put in the effort and say a year from now, “Wow I can’t believe I did that” instead of “I wish I had just stuck with it.”
Tip #2: It’s Okay To Want Change
You can accept yourself but also accept that you want to change.
Maybe you are overweight or not in the shape you used to be. It could be physically holding you back from doing things you love.
Self-acceptance can be a loving way to say to yourself it’s time to make a change.
That can be a beautiful beginning to your self-acceptance journey.
No matter where you are, you can love who you are and want to improve yourself.
Wanting to make a positive and healthy change is a great way to practice self-love and self-acceptance.
I know I have gone through times when I knew I needed change. I was able to accept where I was because I had the authority and power to make a change with myself.
And you don’t have to do it alone. I found a coach who guided me through my change and I am ever grateful for her. I learned how to accept who I was through every step of the journey and was encouraged to make a change because I got stronger with every step I took.
Here is my post on how to find a coach or personal trainer that can work with your goals.
Tip #3: Get Excited About Your Future
Whether or not you want to make a change, the future is still a great motivator. If you have a specific goal, the future is your oyster.
It may take time and sometimes it takes longer than you anticipated. But with each milestone you reach, your end goal is closer in sight.
It is so exciting thinking about the future when you accept who you are. You can be kinder to yourself and proud of the progress you have made.
When you get to where you want to be in life, all of that hard work and self-acceptance will make it sweeter.
Tip #4: You Deserve Respect
As humans, we owe each other respect. No matter our walk in life or where we came from, everyone deserves respect.
But have you ever really thought about the respect you give to yourself?
Like many others, I have fallen into the trap of disrespecting my body and who I was. Maybe I fell off track and then punished myself the next day with unnecessary rigorous exercise or starved myself of food that could nourish my body.
I was causing myself more harm than good. My body deserved for me to stand up for it. And it still deserves me to stand up for it.
Now, I have a mindset of respect. I am going to make mistakes, I am human. But that does not mean I need to punish myself.
Self-acceptance is respecting who you are as a person and the body you live in. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Your body deserves kindness. It is always there for you, make sure you are there for it.
Tip #5: Change Is Inevitable
Change is always happening. Life will constantly come in and throw us off course. The goal you reached may be a thing of the past. That can be hard to stomach.
Remember, you can only control the controllable. How you react and respond is how you will best weather the course of change.
Self-acceptance means that even through struggles and difficulties, you still step up for yourself and pivot your plan of action.
Maybe you worked hard for the last 3 years to get strong and lean. You are so proud of your achievements and you have every right to be. But something can easily change that. Let’s say you get pregnant.
That is an incredible accomplishment in itself and something many are over the moon about. It is absolutely beautiful to grow a tiny human inside you. But with that comes a lot of change. Your lifestyle, your body, your future.
And when the big change comes, things will never be the same. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Instead of harping on the past and the life you used to have. Self-acceptance means embracing the change and setting new goals to accomplish.
You will come back even stronger than before and I assure you will be proud of yourself. Regardless of the changes that happen in your life, they will continue to come.
Accept yourself as a strong person who can take those changes and make lemonade with lemons.
Self-Acceptance is a Journey
It is natural to go through ebbs and flows of self-acceptance. But like any personal journey, it is never linear.
But I assure you, if you can embrace the change, get excited about your future, and show up with respect for yourself, you will continue to get better with each passing day.
I hope these tips have resonated with you and are a bit of encouragement on whatever journey you are on.
Got another tip on how to embrace self-acceptance? Comment in the section below!
