Radical Acceptance

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Experiencing painful events and emotions is unfortunately part of being human. We can’t avoid them and sometimes there is nothing we can do to change the situation. ⁠⠀
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Radical acceptance is a technique created around the idea that reality needs to be accepted, rather than fought against because often fighting against a situation causes more suffering than the situation itself! Radical acceptance means accepting everything about yourself, your life and your experiences without blame, judgement or regret as this is perhaps the only way we can ever move past difficult life experiences. ⁠⠀
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Radical acceptance can be used with situations in which we have no control and no power to influence the outcome which might lead us to feel long-term pain, regret or sadness. Often refusing to accept reality means we find ourselves stuck in the past or worrying about the future which prevents us from living in the moment and progressing towards our goals.⁠⠀
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Once we’ve tried to accept the facts of the situation and our feelings about it, it can be helpful to make a plan about how to progress your life alongside the painful situations you have experienced, without allowing them to hold you back.⁠⠀
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Remember “acceptance” is not the same as “approval” – it doesn’t mean you have to be okay with the situation, it simply means that you accept that it is what it is. Denying or pushing suffering away doesn’t make it disappear but accepting it may help to bring space and freedom to live your life according to your values. ⁠⠀