Learning To Accept Yourself, Even Your Flaws
Learning to accept yourself even your flaws is an important part of self-love and personal growth. Discover tips and techniques for developing self-acceptance, recognizing your self-worth, and living a more fulfilling life.
Learning to accept yourself even your flaws
Do you cringe when you read that title? I have to admit, when it first popped into my mind a few days ago, I winced. It struck a chord with me, and not in a comfortable way. The idea made me pause and reflect, stirring up a mix of emotions and thoughts.
We don’t like to think about our “unattractive components,” do we? By “ugly parts of the route,” I mean the aspects of ourselves that we perceive as less than perfect. No matter how many hours we spend at the gym, some people will still have physical imperfections like acne, jiggly thighs, or a persistent pot belly. Others may experience emotional issues such as fears, phobias, or low self-esteem.
One thing I constantly need to reflect on in my own life is that the more I resist certain aspects of myself—the more I despise, push away, and try to forget them—the larger and more powerful they become. My resistance gives them control over me.
What if we made the decision to stop hiding those aspects of who we are? Imagine if we (gasp!) actually liked those aspects just the way they were. How would things turn out for them then?
Acceptance and affection toward others
For most of my adult life, I’ve been a dog owner (or, more accurately, they’ve owned me). Some of them were strays when I took them in, and they were in terrible health—infested with fleas and worms, with dull coats and eyes. Part of their condition was due to lack of proper nutrition and exercise, which I improved over the following weeks. On a deeper level, though, these dogs craved love and affection. I addressed this too, by petting them, talking to them, and showing, both through words and actions, that they mattered and deserved to be truly and completely loved. And they reacted in kind.
Week by week, a little sparkle would return to their eyes. They began to show signs of liveliness and display joyful or content behaviors. Gradually, they stopped looking like the ragged creatures that had entered my home. Their life and energy radiated from them. Their eyes became bright and alert, and their coats softened and became silky. They appeared to be at ease. Love is transforming. That’s how simple it is. Anyone who has experienced intense love can attest to that.
What happens to our “unattractive components” then? What might occur if we loved and accepted them? Would they transform into something even more beautiful? Maybe, maybe not. These parts of ourselves might serve a purpose, and we may never be able to replace them. If we are unable to change the ones, perhaps we can still alter our perception of them. They might no longer seem “ugly” to us. Instead, they become just a small part of who we are overall. These traits, whether good or bad, simply are what they are.
Hating certain parts of ourselves is akin to rejecting a rainbow because we dislike the color green. You could at least have the green hue if you desire the other shades, right? Green plays a vital role in completing a rainbow. Similarly, if we choose self-acceptance, it should encompass every facet of our being. While some aspects may improve with time, others may not, and that’s perfectly acceptable as well.
Just keep in mind
The fundamental shift lies in our ability to live harmoniously with ourselves, rather than perpetually engaging in futile internal conflicts. It’s about fostering a deep sense of love, care, and connection with every part of who we are. This profound acceptance and integration have the power to bring about transformative changes in every aspect of our lives.
Do you have any inquiries or thoughts to share? Feel free to leave them in the comments section below; I’d love to hear from you.
Related: Test To Find Out If You Love Yourself?
Love Your Body As You Love Yourself: Nurturing Body Acceptance
Discover How To Accept And Love Yourself.
Love Yourself As You Would Your Neighbor: Change Your Self-criticism Into Self-assurance.
Kiersti writes on self-love and personal development professionally. Over the past ten or so years, she has studied self-love and personal growth. Visit https://womansdailyneeds.com/ to learn more about what she does, and like her on Facebook at https://facebook.com/womansdailyneeds to keep up with her.