Self-acceptance means embracing who you are without any qualifications, conditions, or exceptions.
It’s not about believing you are perfect or that you love every aspect of yourself. It is about believing you deserve care, kindness, and love despite your flaws, and that you can be yourself without pretence.
With self-acceptance, you don’t have to be faultless. Acceptance gives you the ability to learn from your mistakes and not view them as defects in yourself.
Without self-acceptance, focusing too much on your mistakes can lead to a variety of mental health outcomes. Some researchers believe that self-acceptance fosters well-being, and may increase your senses of self-worth, autonomy, and self-esteem. Research also shows that self-acceptance can reduce depression and anxiety.3