"True Self-Acceptance: Loving Yourself Beyond Achievement"

Taking pride in your efforts is a wonderful thing. Feeling a sense of satisfaction from your hard work and the results you achieve is a natural feeling that everyone should have. But does saying "I accept myself because I like the person who works hard" really lead to self-acceptance?

Perhaps this mindset will cause you to push yourself too hard.

The essence of self-acceptance is to accept yourself as you are. However, if your appreciation of the 'hard-working version of yourself' becomes your measure of self-worth, then it may be a little removed from the true meaning of self-acceptance. Self-acceptance isn't just about appreciating the hard-working version of yourself; it's about recognising and accepting all parts of yourself. True self-acceptance means understanding that not only the hard-working version of you, but also the resting you, the unproductive you, and even the version of you that has failed, are all valuable.

If you love the image of the 'hard-working self' so much that you begin to reject the 'resting self' or the 'not-doing-anything self', then the concept of self-acceptance ceases to function in its true sense. In reality, resting or stepping back are necessary actions in taking care of yourself. Pushing yourself relentlessly when your body and mind are exhausted doesn't always lead to good results. If it continues, it can lead to an imbalance, and eventually your fondness for your 'hard-working self' may diminish as well.

Self-acceptance means recognising the hardworking version of yourself, but equally important, accepting the version of yourself that doesn't always strive. It's natural to feel valued when you're working hard, but it's important to acknowledge and show kindness to the 'resting self' when you're tired. Self-acceptance involves caring for your physical and mental wellbeing without overburdening yourself.

So if you feel that 'I accept myself because I like the hard-working version of myself', I encourage you to stop for a moment and consider whether this mindset is really serving you. Self-acceptance means embracing all parts of yourself - the imperfect you, the failed you and the dormant you. Valuing the hard-working you is important, but so is being kind to yourself, allowing yourself to rest, and not pushing yourself too hard. These are key elements in deepening your self-acceptance.

Finally, remember that the person who can love you the most in the world is you. By taking care of yourself, resting when you need to, and accepting yourself as you are, you will cultivate true self-love and self-acceptance. It is wonderful to be loved by others, but the most important thing is to love yourself. This is the first step in building a truly fulfilling life.