Self-Acceptance: What is it really about?

At some point or the other, all of us must have come across the word ‘Self-acceptance’ or some sassy quote about it.

Hey there, this is Ishika here from the Youngsters’ Journals and Today, let’s dig deeper into what Self Acceptance means.

Starting off with the basics, according to Wikipedia, self-acceptance is acceptance of self. Sounds pretty basic, right? But when you actually think about it, it goes so much beyond that.

Self-acceptance is being aware of your strengths and weaknesses and accepting them. It is accepting yourself with every single one of your flaws. It is being confident with your body and thoughts. Self-acceptance is not just being content with yourself, but it is also striving to become a better version of yourself with each passing day. It is knowing fully well that you are, indeed, enough.

There will come a phase in your life, where :
(a) You fail (miserably or not), but it will make you question your worth.

(b) You may get rejected by someone you wanted an approval/acceptance from.

( c)You see someone doing something better than you.

So, let me tell you something bigger than this; a bigger and essential truth you should know :
(a) Failure should only make you question where you went wrong, and not your existence and most definitely what you’re worth. Just like every walking human on this planet, you are deserving of everything good in this world and don’t you for a second doubt that.

(b) You do not need anyone to give you any sort of approval for who you are and want to be.

( c)There will always be someone who is better than you at something or the other. Someone may be better than you at Math or talking or socializing or making money, but here is what you will always be best at being yourself. That’s a treasure no one can ever steal from you.
Let me give you a little example of my own life. All uptil 9th grade, I never had any real friends because all I was ever trying was to please everyone around me, which eventually led me to split my personality for various people. Then a new year began new class, an entirely new set of people. And as soon as I walk into the class, I realize that there is absolutely no one that I already knew. And being the all-pleaser person that I was, to say I was nervous would be an understatement. I was petrified. But then, a realization hit me in that very moment that of all the things that I could be, this is not who I should be. I should take pride in my own skin, thoughts, and opinions. And that day, I made a pact with myself, that I would show the people around me who I truly am and that’s exactly what I did. And guess what? I have the most amazing friends I could ever ask for. They genuinely care for me and accept me for what I am.
Again, I am not asking you to seek for others’ approval. But what I’m asking you to do is to accept yourself completely and not be afraid to show that to the world.

So go ahead and eat that extra piece of doughnut, stop caking your face in make up and instead, use that time to meditate and focus on calming your mind, relaxing your body and making peace with yourself, don’t-give-a-damn a little more, laugh a little more harder and oh yes, fall in love. Not with the guy in your AP Calculus class who asks you for a pencil, but with the person staring back at you when you look in the mirror.

Your heart beats approximately 80 times a minute. Each heartbeat is a sign of life. Don’t be afraid to show it.