In Self-Acceptance Step 2: Accept Yourself As You Are Right Now, we talked about how to overcome the barriers that keep us from accepting ourselves as we are. But who are you? The third step to self-acceptance is to get to know yourself better.
You are more than a body!
No matter how closely your body conforms (or doesn’t conform) to the cultural ideal, you are more than a body! Take time to do some soul-searching and discover who you really are.
Journal prompt:
I suggest exploring some of these topics in a journal to help you get to know yourself better. And don’t be modest; let yourself shine!
What (non-physical) attributes do you like or appreciate about yourself?- What are your values?
- What are your aspirations?
- What do you like to do?
- What are you good at?
- What comes naturally to you that is difficult for others?
- What do you want to learn?
- What do you really care—or even feel passionately—about?
What might happen if you focused on these attributes instead of putting your life on hold until you reach some arbitrary standard of beauty or health?
Get to know yourself to accept yourself
Take the time to really get to know yourself – the person you spend the most time with. You might realize that it’s pretty easy to love the one you’re with!
Up next: Self Acceptance Step 4: Get Connected
Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:
Self-Acceptance Step 1: Become Aware of Your Self-Talk
Self-Acceptance Step 2: Accept Yourself As You Are Right Now
This article was updated from a previous version.
