Congratulations! 

We made it through 2023.

Further to the 32 day camping challenge which was the subject of my previous blogpost, the latter half of 2023 involved more 30 day mini adventures including: 30 days of headstands, 30 days of writing poetry, and 30 days of posting on Instagram. Rocktober was listening to a different rock track daily throughout October and D-cember involved listening to a band or song beginning with “D” every day. I thoroughly enjoyed doing things for fun’s sake! 🙂

Now we start 2024.

The only resolution I will make is to develop radical self-acceptance. But I want this to be a life-long lifestyle change, not a 30 day challenge! Although, framing radical self-acceptance as a 30 day challenge could be an awesome way to embed this healthy habit. Every day for 30 days I will acknowledge and accept myself exactly as I am. When I notice self-criticism, I will practise S.O.D.A:

Stop. Observe. Decide. Act:

Stop and take 3 deep breaths.

Observe my thoughts and feelings without judgment. Let them go.

Decide I am not going to criticise myself on this occasion and instead show self-kindness and compassion.

Act with positive intent: “I love and accept myself exactly as I am”.

The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change”

^{Carl Rogers, On Becoming A Person: A therapist’s view of psychotherapy}

Only when we move through experiences open to the grace and infinite possibilities imbued in every situation, can we grow and find greater meaning in our exquisite and sometimes excruciating lived experiences.

Self-acceptance isn’t always easy when you, others, or society at large have unrealistic expectations and put so much pressure on things being a certain way. “Hell Yeah Self-Care!” by Alex Iantaffi and Meg-John Barker highlight both the difficulties and importance of self-care and offer plenty of suggestions in their awesome inclusive trauma-informed workbook.

While practising self-care, it is a good opportunity to build a toolbox of resources and support for future use.

I love Zeng Hao’s depiction of Kuan Yin, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, from Alana Fairchild’s gorgeous Kuan Yin Oracle deck. Kuan Yin is definitely my mascot of choice as I practise self-care and embrace my challenges this year.

What can you learn to accept about yourself, right now?

Onwards and radical self-acceptancewards xXx