Introduction
No matter where you are in life, whether you’re 40, 50 or even 101 years old ir anywhere in between, a few things are essential for living one’s best life. One of the most fundamental is self-acceptance. If feeling good about yourself is something that’s been on your mind lately, but you don’t know where to start, here are some ways to help get you going!
- Why is self-acceptance so important for women in transition?
- How can I start to accept myself?
- What are some of the benefits of self-acceptance
- What should I do if you feel like I’m struggling with self-acceptance?
- Final thoughts on the importance of self-acceptance for women in transition
Why is self-acceptance so important for women in transition?
Self-acceptance is important for anyone at any stage in life, but it’s especially important for women during transitions during mid-life. When we reach this age, we’ve likely experienced a lot of life already. We’ve all gone through highs and lows, good times and bad, and probably learned a lot about ourselves in the process. This is GREAT because it means we have valuable tools in our toolkits.
Your Personal Self-Acceptance Toolkit
Your knowledge and experience also become the lens through which you view yourself. The lens that worked perfectly earlier in life, might not serve you well anymore, which makes self-acceptance so important at this stage in life. It’s a lot like getting a new prescription for your glasses or being amazed at what more you can see once you get some readers.
When you accept yourself for who you are, you’re acknowledging that you are human and that you make mistakes. You’re also recognizing that you have strengths and weaknesses, and that’s okay! Accepting yourself allows you to move on from your past mistakes and focus on your present and future. Once you’re able to give yourself a break and recognize that you are perfectly imperfect, happiness will follow.
Once you're able to give yourself a break and recognize that you are perfectly imperfect, happiness will follow.
What are THE benefits of self-acceptance?
There are many benefits to self-acceptance, and these can be experienced at any age. Some of the most common benefits include improved self-esteem, positive body image, reduced stress levels, increased motivation to pursue goals, less social anxiety, and an improved ability to live more authentically.
When you accept yourself for who you are, you will start to feel better about yourself and your life. As your outlook becomes more positive, you might notice some new behaviors, too. For example, you might find you are less likely to compare yourself to others or that you are more accepting of change.
How do I learn to accept myself?
There are a few ways that you can start to accept yourself for who you are. One key is to be kind to yourself during this journey. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect.
Commit to work on self-acceptance regularly. Just like anything else, accepting yourself won’t happen overnight. Dedicate time daily or weekly to working on self-acceptance and be patient with the process. Here are some suggestions that may help you get started:
- Journal about the things you like about yourself.
- Practice being kind to yourself in tough times.
- Look in the mirror and say “I love you” out loud.
What can I do if I feel like I'm struggling with self-acceptance?
If you’re feeling like you’re struggling with self-acceptance, that’s ok. It happens to all of us from time to time. The journey to self-acceptance is a lifelong one, and it’s important not to get discouraged if some days are better than others.
It’s not always easy to accept yourself for who you are, but it’s definitely worth the effort. When you find yourself in that situation, there are a few things you can do to help.
- -Make a list of your good qualities. This can be anything from being a great friend to being loyal or honest. When you focus on the good things about yourself, it becomes harder to dwell on the negative.
- -You are perfectly imperfect! Acknowledge your flaws, but don’t dwell on them. We all have flaws, and that’s okay! Just because you’re not perfect doesn’t mean you’re not worth loving.
- -Take a vacation from comparing yourself to others. We all have our unique qualities, so try focusing on your own instead of always thinking about the parts of yourself that are different from others.
- -Talk to someone about how you’re feeling. It can be really helpful to talk to someone who will understand and can offer support. If that doesn’t seem all that appealing or even doable, seek professional help. If you feel like you need more support than what friends or family can offer, talking to a therapist may be a good option for you.
As you develop a self-acceptance practice, above all, be kind and gentle with yourself.
Final thoughts on the importance of self-acceptance for women in transition
Anyone can practice self-acceptance, regardless of their background or history. And here’s some more good news: there’s no time limit on self-acceptance. It’s never too soon or too late to start working on it.
Some tips for overcoming psychological and social factors include practicing mindfulness, avoiding social media (at least some of the time), talking to someone you trust, and practicing gratitude. If you can implement these tactics, you could just start to notice a difference in how you feel about yourself and your life.
Thank you for reading!
PS: I hope that this article has inspired you to work on self-acceptance, whether it’s for the first time you’ve ever focused on it or if you’re revisiting the concept.
PPS: If being gentle with yourself during this journey would make it work better, be sure to check out some easy self care ideas that will take under 10 minutes or some insights on self-compassion.
