The foundation to positive self-esteem is full self-acceptance. The higher self-acceptance you are able to maintain the better your well-being and mental health will be. Although accepting flaws and mistakes does not mean that you excuse bad behaviour or inappropriate actions. It is about accepting and acknowledging that behaviour or action but not necessarily celebrating that aspect of yourself. This allows an area of improvement, “yes it happened but how can I not repeat the same mistake or misjudgement?”

How to build Unconditional Self-Acceptance

Positive psychology explains it as the basics in helping yourself build self-acceptance is breaking down the sentence and unpacking the word meanings.

What does the word Un-Conditional mean?

Conditions are rules we put against ourselves.For example, to be HAPPY we must……..

• Have the perfect body, certain height, certain weight, etc.
• Have flawless skin, God forbid we have freckles, red marks, dermatitis etc.
• Have certain hair colour, cut & style.
• Have a title to our name.
• Earn a great income $$$
• Own a house in an expensive area.
• Have the newest car
• Have the latest phone or electronic devices

The list goes on and on! So where does this all come from? Who defines what is perfect and why this is all required for true happiness? If anything, it causes more grief and mental health issues imaginable.  Do you ever stop and think that maybe the MEDIA makes us fall into the trap of a continuous rat race, creating self-doubt and esteem issues?

So the word un-conditional is something we all need to strive for. Regardless of where we sit with the below….

• Have the perfect body, certain height, weight – IT DOESN’T MATTER
• Have flawless skin, red marks, dermatitis –  IT DOESN’T MATTER
• Have certain hair colour – IT DOESN’T MATTER
• Have a title to our name – IT DOESN’T MATTER
• Earn a great income $$$ – IT DOESN’T MATTER
• Own a house in an expensive area –  IT DOESN’T MATTER
• Have the newest car – IT DOESN’T MATTER
• Have the latest phone or electronic devices – IT DOESN’T MATTER

SELF – This is who you are, your story, what you tell people when you introduce yourself.

ACCEPTANCE – being in agreement, understanding it is what it is!

So the message for UNCONDITIONAL SELF ACCEPTANCE is accepting who you are, the positives and the negatives. Realising the above does not define who you are. There is no need to put conditions on ourselves. Remind yourself there is no need to embed these rules upon ourselves and furthermore teach our children the same. Role modelling unconditional self-acceptance is what true happiness is.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS?

Practising good self-care habits.

• Spending quality time with family and friends.
• Enjoying nature.
• Looking after your health by keeping active and eating nutritious meals.
• Mindfulness/meditation and being present in the here and now.
• Having a good laugh.
• Good sleep hygiene.
• Being open and honest with emotions and communication.
• Travel, explore and go out of your comfort zone in learning new things.