We are always hearing ‘just be yourself!’ We hear it in the media, movies and just when growing up. It’s the go to way to comfort someone finding it hard to accept themselves. It’s far easier said than done, that’s for sure! Loving and accepting is a marathon, not a sprint. In other words, it is hard to fix insecurities, so it will take time.
We are all unique individuals. We have faults, talents and experiences that no one else has. Just as your life has been unique up until this point, the way you accept yourself will be unique too. It might take you a long time to accept yourself, it might take no time at all. There is no point in comparing yourself to others – your life will unfold in its own way.
Often, we feel the need to change what makes us different – that we should be more like others. People will put pressure on you to change. But celebrate what makes you different – it’s what makes you, you. If people don’t accept you, you will find other people who do. Keep looking. Don't let them control your life, it's yours for a reason.
Remember to be kind and loving to yourself, even when it feels like it doesn’t matter. Lots of self-criticism can have lasting and damaging impacts on your self-worth.
Make sure you surround yourself with people who build you up, encourage you and support you. If people are always criticising you and breaking you down, it’s a whole lot harder to accept yourself.
Accept yourself in the good and the bad times. It’s all good and well to feel comfortable when things are going right, but accepting yourself is even more important when you’re feeling a little down or unhappy with life.
One of the most important parts of accepting yourself is forgiving yourself. We need to be able to forgive and understand our own actions and flaws, to overcome them and begin to love ourselves. We also need to be able to forgive others and the world around us. We all understand the mistakes of others because we have made similar mistakes. See others and ourselves with kindness and understanding, though it isn’t always easy, is an amazing way to start accepting ourselves for who we are.
Change your perspective and uncover a way forward for you!
Here are some things that can help you with that.
YouTube
Great
reads
Fire Keeper's Daughter by Angeline Bouley
Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. Daunis has big dreams but she has puts her future on hold to care for her fragile mother.
Just As You Are by Michelle Skeen and Kelly Skeen
A practical guide to silencing your nit-picky inner critic, cultivating self-compassion, and discovering who you want to be.
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Sweet and bright little Matilda, a child of wondrous intelligence, is different from the rest of her family.
Great
Films
Eigth Grade
Kayla Day, is in the eighth grade. She is introverted but also posts videos about self-confidence online. Soon, she realises she is not the person she is pretending to be and has to accept that.
Onward
Two brothers set out on an epic adventure to resurrect their late father for a day. But first, the youngest brother has to accept himself and the changes he is going through.
Inside Out
Eleven-year-old Riley moves cities, leaving her old life behind. She and her five core emotions, Fear, Anger, Joy, Disgust and Sadness, struggle to cope with her new life.
Spotify
The first step to being true to yourself is accepting yourself
What science says
Psychologist Carl Rogers says person with a more positive attitude, who is able to overcome failure and views negative things as ‘just a part of life’, is likely to be more successful.
Places to find more resources
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