Many people are searching for acceptance outside of themselves when they haven’t yet learned to accept themselves. Self-acceptance means being okay with WHO you are and WHERE you are. It means being kind to yourself even when you make mistakes, fail, or do really stupid things. Self-acceptance is a close relative to self-esteem. It is difficult to have one without the other, and, if you have one, you will tend to have the other.
There are many reasons why people have low self-acceptance, but most fall into one or more the following areas:
- A perceived desire to be perfect
- A focus on imperfections rather than on blessings
- The desire for approval and to be liked
- A strong desire to please