Acceptance of ourselves is the complete embrace of your strengths, flaws and entire self, without harsh judgement or conditions.
Today I would like to write this and read it out loud to myself, because even I struggle with accepting myself and my own self-wellness. I strive daily, through prayer and through looking around me in nature, to be inspired.
I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it well.
Psalm 139:14, OSB Septuagint
The unconditional love we have for ourselves is, for many of us and for me, extremely hard to achieve. But when we find it and accept it, it becomes the solid foundation.
Imposter syndrome
Does anyone else suffer from this? It is a psychological pattern where people doubt their skills, talents or accomplishments and live with a persistent fear of being exposed, despite clear evidence of their success.
The fear of failure means we self-sabotage. Getting out of that circle is not easy, but day by day we can take the steps that start us accepting ourselves and build the self-wellness foundation we crave.
Where is it hiding, and why does it matter?
It is hiding within us. For some of us it is hidden deep, because of trauma we have not been able to deal with, or because we are too frightened, or because the thought alone spikes the anxiety.
Lowering our stressors builds our resilience and reduces anxiety. Taking day-to-day steps towards accepting yourself is the key.
Life is a roller coaster, especially if you are a business owner. Add that into the mix and you are juggling many hats at the same time, each one needing its own time and space, with limited hours in the day. Every moment counts. Time is precious.
Fresh air is at the top of my list. It is where I go to think.
Your day-to-day steps
These are the steps to start introducing into your life. Do all of them, or just the ones that fit your lifestyle.
Fresh air is at the top of the list. The sea and the countryside can take your mind out and recharge it, and different surroundings bring inspiration. If you are city or office based, stepping outside at break or lunchtime for a little walk will help clear your mind and activate your joints at the same time. Even walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift will leave you feeling energised.
Keep a journal of your thoughts and ideas. This is very different from writing in a diary of work appointments. Writing things down can be a kind of self-therapy, because when you write it you are taking it out of your head and putting it on paper. That physical process is therapeutic. It might be a few days before you reread your notes, and the time between writing and reading is the time your natural problem-solving skills kick in, especially when your thoughts carry anxiety and worry.
Find the calm in the storm. For me, finding my inner peace is about giving, and making a difference in the lives of others. When I plan indigenous projects I become absorbed in the planning, and in connecting with the elders and tribal chiefs to understand their real needs, then designing a project that makes a difference.
Self-wellness in a business environment
I believe this is one of the hardest to achieve, especially in a digital, fast-paced, ever-changing world, with AI copying our every move and trying to clone us. Within cyber security there are some great people protecting us from the dark web.
Recently I reached out to one of those companies to ask how their team looked after their self-wellness. Their reply was that they do not know how to, because digital is moving so fast that the average human is struggling to keep up. They described long hours at flickering monitors, the way they sit at their desks, and the tension that builds in the neck and shoulders across a working day.
That is exactly what I made Sensory for. It relieves tension, stress and screen fatigue, and calms the nervous system, and it is gentle enough for daily use on the temples, wrists or neck. I will share what the team found on Instagram, so please follow me there.
Rebecca
