Self-acceptance

Self-acceptance is acceptance of self. Self-acceptance can be defined as: the awareness of one's strengths and weaknesses, the realistic (yet subjective) appraisal of one's talents, capabilities, and general worth, and, feelings of satisfaction with one's self despite deficiencies and regardless of past behaviors and choices. According to Shepard, self-acceptance is an individual's satisfaction or happiness with oneself, and is thought to be necessary for good mental health. Self-acceptance involves self-understanding, a realistic, albeit subjective, awareness of one's strengths and weaknesses. It results in an individual's feeling about oneself, that they are of "unique worth". Albert Ellis advocated the importance of accepting yourself just because you are alive, human and unique—and not giving yourself a global rating, or being influenced by what others think of you. In clinical psychology and positive psychology, self-acceptance is considered the prerequisite for change to occur. It can be achieved by stopping criticizing and solving the defects of one's self, and then accepting them to be existing within one's self. That is, tolerating oneself to be imperfect in some parts. Some distinguish between conditional and unconditional self-acceptance. Self-acceptance is one of the six factors in Carol D. Ryff's structure for eudaimonic well-being. A person who scores high on self-acceptance: has a positive self-attitude, acknowledges and accepts all aspects of themselves (including the good and bad), is not self-critical or confused about their identity, and, does not wish they were any different from who they already are. In the past, the practice of self-acceptance was reproved by the Greeks.