A practical way to practice self-acceptance

When I first started on my journey of self-love and self-acceptance, I found myself lost and uncertain about where to begin. It seems that a lot of people on this path encounter the same challenge—finding practical tips to put self-acceptance into action. The question I often hear is: What does practising self-acceptance actually look like?

One of the most helpful tools I discovered on my self-acceptance journey involved just two simple words…

It's okay.

It's okay that you're not perfect
It's okay that you got angry
It's okay that you were self-critical
It's okay that you said that thing
It's okay that you didn't say that thing
It's okay.

These words hold immense power and, even years later I continue to utilise this phrase when I can hear the little self-critical voice in my head. Whenever I reacted with anger or self-hate and could feel myself spiralling down into negativity, these unassuming words always helped to halt the spiral and diffuse the negative intrusive thoughts.

Why do we behave the way we do?

Our brains are hardwired for survival. They instinctively choose the path they perceive as causing the least pain, based on past experiences and learned coping mechanisms. It's essential to recognise that everyone, at every stage in their life, is doing their very best with the way their brain is currently wired.

The key to self-acceptance lies in acknowledging your present self. Accepting that your actions and reactions stem from how your brain is currently wired, driven by its innate goal of survival. You can work on rewiring your brain but it’s vital to begin by telling yourself that "It's okay," because it genuinely is. You may not desire to hold onto anger, hatred, or self-criticism, but berating yourself for these feelings won't reduce them—it will only perpetuate a vicious cycle. Acceptance of your current self is the foundation for positive change.

Remember, self-acceptance isn't about complacency but about recognising your current reality and choosing to evolve from there. As you journey along the path of self-acceptance, always remember those two little words: "It's okay." Embrace them, and empower yourself to grow into the best version of yourself.