Unconditional self-acceptance can be challenging with so many influences on our world that influence how we think, feel, and behave.

Myths around unconditional self-acceptance

Common wisdom leads us to belief that accepting ourself, faults and all, is an easy way out.  It lets us off when things go wrong.  There is also a belief that we won’t take opportunities to grow, and through this hold ourself back.

Influences on our evaluation of ourself

The relationship we have with ourself is complex and a wide range of thoughts and beliefs can get in the way. These may include: 

• Feelings of low self-worth. Feeling we don’t deserve to accept ourself because we are of little worth.
• Believing unconditional self-acceptance is self-indulgent and if we do this we will become self-satisfied and arrogant.
• Believing if we accept who we are, we will become complacent and won’t change, or work towards doing things differently / better.
• Believing if we accept who we are we won’t take responsibility for things we have done wrong or changes we need to make.

All of these have been proven to be flawed thinking.  

“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are”

-Marilyn Monroe

Accepting our value

We all have value.  At a fundamental level we all have equal value.

This doesn’t mean there aren’t flaws to address, strengths we want to build, or things we would like to do differently.  It is about accepting who and where we are now and growing from that place.

Look at the other blogs in this series Unconditional self-acceptance, and Unconditional self-acceptance – developing it.  You may also be interested in the blogs about Self-compassion and Limiting beliefs.

Accepting Ourself is one of the modules in Unleashing You, the ILM approved programme for personal growth, increased performance, enhanced wellbeing, and overall feelings of positivity.