Frankie Pascua-dela Pasion
Self-acceptance is a universally cherished goal, yet proves challenging to conquer. Although the path may demand time, effort, and patience, the ultimate outcome is life-changing.
As we develop true self-acceptance, we attain happiness, confidence, and peace. Stress releases, anxiety diminishes, and we feel renewed in the discovery of our true selves.
Let’s explore the ultimate guide to self-acceptance and discuss the 10 signs that you’ve made peace with yourself.
1) You’re comfortable being alone
When you’ve made peace with yourself, you don’t need validation from others or the company of others to feel comfortable. You have accepted being alone, and you know that it’s an opportunity to connect with yourself, reflect, and grow.
Meditation, journaling, and self-care are activities that you enjoy in your own company.
Ever wonder if it’s the same as being lonely? Nope, not even close!
Being lonely affects your inner peace and mental health. Embracing self-acceptance empowers you to relish solitude without experiencing loneliness, and instead cherish a sense of inner peace.
2) You’re confident in your decisions
When you think of life-changing decisions, you’re sure of your choices because you trust yourself.
Like many, I too struggled with life decisions. Uncertainty clouded my judgment, and regaining confidence in my decision-making skills didn’t come easily.
The key is self-acceptance. Accepting yourself breeds trust in intuition and confidence in decision-making.
That means you don’t need anyone else’s approval or validation because you know what aligns with your true self.
Self-acceptance occurs when you’ve made the best decision for yourself and taking risks feels comfortable, reflecting your confidence in those choices.
Trust me, it’s a powerful feeling that leads to growth and success!
3) You don’t compare yourself to others
It’s difficult to avoid comparing oneself to others, particularly when scrolling through social media.
Those posts on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube tend to create this form of addiction and comparison game. Even the email you receive could lead to comparison.
Even though there’s some discomfort and it’s hard to resist, you’ve learned to love yourself by shifting the focus away from comparing and toward positive thoughts. You understand that everybody has their own journey and each person lives a unique life experience – something that we should all embrace regardless of our differences.
Achieving inner peace enables us to focus on what truly matters; our life journey and destiny.
Comparisons become futile and you’re left with nothing but the bliss of a liberated heart.
4) You don’t seek approval
I’ll be honest with you. Seeking approval is real at any age.
We all crave acceptance and connection. Be it from loved ones, colleagues, or even strangers on the street.
And I say this with absolute confidence, approval will never bring you the inner peace you’ve been yearning for.
Accepting yourself and loving who you are is far more powerful than any external validation or permission from another person.
Of course, the reality is that seeking approval matters within certain contexts such as work performance, school grades, or factors related to career advancement.
But in the process of self-acceptance, you learn that approval doesn’t determine your worth and happiness. You’ve made peace with yourself and understand that your worth comes from within.
You’ve learned not to depend on external sources for validation. You’re content with who you’ve become.
This unlocks the power of self-love and brings peace of mind.
5) You’re grateful
Being grateful is the best way to tap into your authentic self and feel more alive and connected.
Why not make it a daily habit?
By recognizing that you are enough just as you are, you can unlock a world of fulfillment and contentment that transcends superficial gains.
Each morning, I take a moment to express gratitude for things that enrich my life with meaning– people, food, opportunity, and more. This shift in perspective lets me revel in every moment and embrace all that life offers. Cultivate gratitude in your life to learn to appreciate simple things and find joy in the beauty of existence.
That’s why gratitude is so important when cultivating self-acceptance. Gratitude shifts our focus from what’s lacking to what we have, allowing us to cherish every moment.
Being grateful helps you make peace with yourself and unlock inner serenity.
6) You embrace change
Change is a constant in life. Every day presents opportunities that can shift the course of our journey.
The path to self-acceptance involves embracing change and learning that life’s a continuous process of growth and transformation.
When you have the mindfulness of inner peace, you’re not afraid of change; you embrace it. You trust that everything happens for a reason. You take risks and welcome challenges because you know that they are opportunities for growth and learning.
Surprises bring joy to life!
Happiness often springs forth from the most unexpected sources. So why not open your heart to them? After all, haven’t your own life experiences taught you that they’re worth embracing?
You’ve made peace with yourself, and are now capable of embracing change without fear or anxiety.
The thing is, embracing change isn’t just about taking risks; it’s also about being open to transformation, especially when it comes to your shortcomings
7) You embrace your flaws
True self-acceptance arises from embracing our imperfections, not just our strengths. Taking a profound and liberating step towards realizing our worth can be an empowering experience.
External circumstances should not become excuses for indulging in self-pity.
When at peace with oneself, there’s no need to worry about flaws. Rather than fixating on them, you embrace your positive attributes and celebrate the unique qualities that define you.
This redirection of energy towards appreciation of your strengths leads to a more positive self-image and fosters mental well-being.
You believe that imperfections add to the beauty of life’s journey. Achieving inner peace requires conscious effort, but not necessarily accepting flaws or staying in a rut.
It’s about shifting your focus towards personal growth – the ultimate goal!
This mindset change allows one to appreciate the process, embrace the challenges, and stay motivated along the way.
The reality is that nobody’s perfect – we all have faults in some way or another, but embracing them is a sign of true self-acceptance.
Your shortcomings don’t define you; they’re opportunities for growth and success.
8) You forgive yourself
When your state of mind is filled with serenity, you can forgive yourself for your mistakes and missteps.
Owning up to your actions doesn’t equate to feeling guilty or shameful. Rather, it means taking responsibility and moving forward from your mistakes with self-awareness and resolve.
Simply put, you don’t hold grudges against yourself.
Accepting our mistakes can be liberating. It helps us grow and become the best version of ourselves.
Whatever negativity arises, you choose to focus on the present and your future opportunities. This helps turn any failure into a learning experience.
You see, forgiveness allows us to release the burdens of self-judgment and create a space for personal transformation.
With inner peace, our capacity for compassion and understanding increases, enabling us to move forward with hope in our hearts.
9) Self-love is always a priority
Practicing self-love is a beautiful embodiment of prioritizing your emotional and physical well-being. It means fulfilling your desires and needs daily, paving the way for a better life.
Self-love empowers us with purpose and confidence to navigate the world.
It’s self-care, not selfishness.
It allows us to prioritize ourselves while pursuing goals and cultivating more meaningful relationships.
Through introspection, I rediscovered the joys of my past hobbies. I now regularly indulge in swimming, offering prayers to God, and playing the piano. I also embraced a healthier lifestyle by eating nourishing foods. I took time for my own mental health, allowing myself to rest when needed and practice self-care.
Through prioritizing my well-being and setting boundaries, I found peace with myself and am living a more content life.
10) You accept your purpose
Don’t you think it’s truly wonderful to find inner peace and fully embrace one’s unique role in this world?
You see, the purpose is the only way to make peace with our true nature– it gives us permission to step into our power and celebrate life’s journey every moment of our daily life.
You can begin discovering your purpose by exploring what makes you feel most alive and connected. Is it teaching, mentoring, or performing?
Are there any causes that inspire the greatest joy within you?
Discovering vital answers can unleash potential and bring peace to your true self.
Final thoughts
Self-acceptance is a winding journey that demands daily commitment, kindness, self-awareness, and patience.
I understand it can feel overwhelming. But you need not worry.
Remember, you’re only human!
Let’s slay this day, one step at a time!
The truth is, peace comes at day’s end when self-acceptance becomes exhilarating, not intimidating.
So are you ready to embrace the challenge?
Take a moment with a few deep breaths and celebrate each milestone with gratitude.
When you do, inner peace will follow suit.
