Acceptance: Why Its Ok to Be You

One thing I have learnt in my time is that one of the most profound experiences is learning to embrace every single part of ourselves. It's a deep, meaningful acceptance of our quirks, behaviors, loves, sexuality, and even the facets of ourselves we might not be so fond of.

It's about the journey towards saying, without a hint of hesitation, "This is me, and I am okay with who I am."

Its also very powerful when others accept you as well. When partners, family, friends, and even broader society embrace us for who we truly are, it reinforces a sense of belonging and validation that is fundamental to our well-being. It can be magical when you open up and someone accepts you for who you are.

This form of acceptance acts as a mirror, reflecting back the truth of our own worth. It can be very empowering. It tells us that our quirks, our loves, our true selves are not only seen but embraced.

Its important to remember that while this form of acceptance is enrichening it cannot be the sole foundation upon what our self worth should be built on. In my sessions with my clients I try to build their own self acceptance. With self acceptance, self esteem and confidence can grow.

Understanding and Accepting Your Quirks and Behaviors

We all have them - those little quirks and behaviors that make us uniquely ourselves. Maybe it's how you can't help but organise your books by colour, how you laugh at your own jokes, or the way you become engrossed in your passions. I think once you understand yourself you can really undertand how you work and what you need. This is where self care comes into the picture but thats another story.

Embracing Your Loves and Sexuality

Our loves and sexuality are integral components of our identity and a big part of our acceptance with ourselves and others. They shape how we connect with others and perceive ourselves. Accepting your loves means honoring the feelings you have. Embracing your sexuality, is crucial to acknowledging your true self. This aspect of acceptance is about allowing yourself to love and be loved genuinely, in ways that resonate with your deepest truths. Opening up this to others can be powerful when it is accepted.

Acknowledging the Good and the Bad

I love movies and I've learnt life isn't a two minute story on instagram. It's a full-length movie, its deep and complex with its share of plot twists and challenges. There are good times and yes there are bad times.

It's understanding that you can be incredibly resilient and vulnerable at the same time.

Recognising Your Strengths and Limiters

Accepting yourself means acknowledging not just your strengths but your flaws and limitations as well.

Knowing your strengths is empowering, but recognising your limiters are equally important. It's about understanding your capabilities and acknowledging that there are areas where you may need support or growth. Knowing what you excel at and also struggle with is the way to personal development.

Accepting your limiters doesn't mean resigning to them. It's the first step in learning to improve or learning to live with them.

"I am worthy, just as I am."

So, as we continue on our paths, let's commit to embracing every part of ourselves.

Let's celebrate our quirks, honour our loves, accept our sexuality, acknowledge our strengths and our limiters. This is the essence of the 'B U'.

"you have to be you."

Finding Calm in the Storm: Embracing Acceptance Meditation

In our busy lives, it’s easy for our minds to become entangled in a web of repetitive, immersive thoughts. These thoughts, especially the ones containing worries and 'what-ifs,' can spiral, leading to anxiety and stress. It's in these moments that the power of acceptance meditation truly shines.

Kirt Hines, my colleague and fellow counsellor at Orange Counselling and Coaching, brings a soothing and calm approach to the practice of acceptance meditation. Through her guidance, Kirt askes you to step back from the immersive thoughts that can often cloud our minds.

The Nature of Immersive Thoughts

Immersive thoughts can be incredibly consuming. But remember! Thoughts are not facts. They hold no truth unless we grant them that power. These deeply engaging thoughts that often envelop our minds, influencing our emotions and behaviours. Immersive thoughts can range from daydreams to more distressing nature, such as worries and fears. These thoughts can also lead us down a path of increased anxiety and stress when they become fixated on negative outcomes or hypothetical situations.

 This is easier said than done, of course, as these thoughts can spiral into worry and anxiety.

The 'worried voice' in our head is really good at raising our anxiety levels. It deals with the 'what-ifs' and worst-case scenarios. Most of the time these are unrealistic.

Thoughts are just chemical responses. Recognising this for what it is the first step towards regaining control.

The Role of Acceptance Meditation

This is where acceptance meditation can help.  It offers us a means to acknowledge our thoughts and other pains without allowing them to control our emotional state. Kirt Hines, through her acceptance meditation video, guides us through this process with her calm and steady voice.

Acceptance meditation teaches us to observe our thoughts from a distance, accepting them thus reducing their impact and hold over us.

Working Towards Control

At Orange Counselling and Coaching we  dedicate ourselves to working with our clients on controlling these intrusive thoughts.

We help people differentiate between helpful and unhelpful thinking patterns, employing strategies that ground us in the present moment.

We like to use many different techniques to help with anxiety, here are just a few:

• Mindfulness Practice: Engaging in regular mindfulness exercises like this video. Please talk to us about our other mindfulness tools. We like to add other tools for our client’s toolbox to help with anxiety and intrusive thoughts

• Labelling Thoughts: Simply labelling what you're experiencing (e.g., "this is just a thought") can diminish the power of intrusive thoughts. Using a thought diary to capture any of our negative thoughts and behaviours.

• Cognitive-Behavioural Techniques: Identifying irrational beliefs behind the anxious thoughts and challenging these beliefs can reduce anxiety.

• Challenging your Thoughts: Rationalise your thoughts, break them apart and remembering that they are nothing. We have the power over them if we choose that.

Take our anxiety assessment so we can add to your tools to combat anxiety.

Invitation to Explore

Please allow yourself some time to explore the gentle guidance of Kirt Hines. Allow yourself the space to experience the benefits of this practice. Acceptance meditation is but one tool in the vast array of strategies available for managing anxiety and intrusive thoughts. If you find yourself grappling with these issues, remember, support is at hand. At Orange Counselling and Coaching, we’re committed to guiding you towards a path of greater mental wellbeing.