The Power of Acceptance
Have you ever heard anyone say, “just accept it!”? Well, easier said than done!
Acceptance is one of those things that sounds simple…until you actually have to do it. When it comes to the things we really struggle with (i.e., a relationship change, uncertainty about the future, a mistake we made, relational conflict, or even feelings we don’t want to have), acceptance can feel almost impossible.
Why Acceptance Can Feel So Difficult
A lot of us spend a surprising amount of energy trying to make our reality different from what it is. This can look like replaying conversations, avoiding or fighting emotions, or beating ourselves up for what we could have done differently.
Acceptance helps us to stop wasting energy trying to control the uncontrollable and redirect that energy toward the things within our control.
When we stop fighting against what we cannot change, we can create space to move forward, think more clearly, make grounded choices, grieve, identify what we might need, even decide what needs to be done next.
Acceptance doesn’t necessarily make a difficult situation easier…but it can make it easier to navigate.
What Acceptance Actually Means
Accepting something doesn’t mean you like a situation or think it is okay. Acceptance is about acknowledging what is happening instead of continuing to argue with or trying to change reality.
Sometimes it can even sound like, “I really don’t like this, but this is what’s happening.” That can actually be a very powerful place to start!
The more willing we are to say, “Okay, I’m anxious right now,” the less energy we spend trying to force ourselves to not be anxious.
Making Space for Difficult Emotions
While we do not want to feel anxious, sad, angry, jealous, embarrassed, disappointed,vor overwhelmed...it is important to remember that emotions are natural, and emotions are not problems that need solving.
Sometimes, they just require to be experienced and felt.
This doesn’t mean we stay stuck in the emotion forever. In fact, allowing ourselves to experience an emotion often makes it easier for the emotion to move through us.
Practicing Acceptance
Just like skills and habits, acceptance takes practice!
Below are some examples of practicing acceptance vs. resistance:
“I am really anxious about this.” vs. “I shouldn’t be this anxious. Why can’t I relax? What is wrong with me?”
“I am feeling really anxious right now, I can allow that feeling.” vs. “I need to stop being upset about this.”
“I’m still hurt, and that makes sense given what happened.” vs. “Why isn’t this different?”
In these examples, the first statement acknowledges what’s happening. The second adds a whole new problem for our brains to process.
Acceptance Takes Practice
Acceptance doesn’t mean we stop caring, hoping for change, or taking action. It means acknowledging reality as it is, even when we wish it were different.
You don’t have to like what’s happening or have it all figured out. Sometimes, acceptance simply means making room for what is real so you can decide what comes next.
Here at Atlanta Wellness Collective, we want to help. For support, contact us or schedule an appointment online.
This blog post was written by Hannah Jordan.
This blog is not intended to substitute professional therapeutic advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your health concerns and before starting or stopping therapies. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct professional advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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