Self-acceptance
MINDFUL MOMENTS # 154
Without realising it, I think I’ve been striving to be the same as everyone else, or at least, to be the same as everyone else’s version of the best.
I believe we live in a world which has become increasingly monotonised. As we travel more and share more online, our risk of merging our individual differences becomes higher. How is it that teenagers in France choose to dress the same as teenagers in England? How is it that the fashion in Land’s End can be the same as those in John O’Groats?
Whilst the sharing of cultures and our ability to travel the world has many, many benefits - particularly in terms of understanding and respecting other cultures and ways of doing and being - we must also be aware of our inclination as humans to fit in. We like groups and labels and feeling part of something: loneliness kills as much as cigarettes. Whilst a shared understanding of each other can only be a good thing (as generally, understanding allows for compassion), I think we have take care not to iron out our differences, or chastise our differences as weaknesses.
Our exposure to others increases our risk of comparison. Through social media, we can compare how we live with people living half the world away.
I suppose my reflections this week are borne of frustrations I’ve had about my own ability to move through life in the way that I see others doing. I resent when I feel anxious or fatigued. I try to understand all the reasons this might be and work out all the things I’m doing wrong that have led these unwanted experiences: I often wish I didn’t need as much sleep as I do; I wish I didn’t find it so difficult to initiate action or follow through with the things I want to do.
Beating ourselves up for the things we wish were different about ourselves is rarely going to effect any positive change. We are much more likely to find energy and motivation to do the things we love if we accept ourselves for who and where we are; if we accept our differences.
Mindful moment: When we accept ourselves for where we are, we find peace in the present moment. We notice that wishing things were some other way than they are only leads to feels of inadequacy and dreaded “not-enoughness”. We might wish we could sing, or play the piano, or be able to score a goal at football (me), but knocking ourselves down is rarely going to pave the way for us to take the action to do those things. We also recognise that some things are more easily changed than others. Accepting our differences allows us the time and space to consider the things which are within our control, remit or current ability to change if we so wish, as well as those which may not be. We choose to be grateful for all the things we do have, do and enjoy.
YOGA | Mindful Movement
Next class: May 18th
Join us every Saturday from 11am-12.15 at the Cornerstone Community Centre in Hove for an all-levels vinyasa yoga flow class, meditation and mindfulness (mats provided or bring your own).
£6 per class or £24 for 5.
Upcoming classes for your diary until August 2024:
May 18th;
June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th;
July 6th, 13th, 27th.
(Or, if it’s easier…no classes: May 25th, July 20th)
REFLECT
“You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.”
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Welcome to the Community.
I'm Laura, a yoga teacher and NHS doctor. With this weekly newsletter I aim to help you incorporate mindful moments into your week. I want you to feel inspired, empowered and creative. I promise to always be authentic; to only include content that speaks to me and which, therefore, I hope will do the same for you.
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