Acceptance vs Improvement

Self-acceptance, as good as it may be, is often the excuse we use to avoid uncomfortable truths. Whether it be our diet, finances, relationships or psychological wellbeing; we understand (consciously or unconsciously) that there may be something in need of our attention in some aspect of our lives. But we delude ourselves from doing the "deep work". Denial, willful ignorance, procrastination, indulgence, avoidance, over-sensitivity, narcissism, stagnation and complacency are common themes to “self-acceptance” taken too far.

But self improvement, gone wrong, can bring its own troublesome baggage. When attempting to measure and regulate all aspects of our lives with the highest of standards, we can be extremely overwhelming and hyper-critical not only to ourselves but towards the environment around us. Expectations of grandeur can easily turn into self flagellation and a misappropriated focus of attention on all that is flawed within the nature of our reality. Exhaustion, obsession, cynicism, desperation, hatred, negativity, insecurity, misery, and being out of control are what to be expected when the self improvement bug bites.

The key is balance. Don’t be obsessed with the ideal version of yourself or the world around you. Don’t ignore the serious issues that are prevalent in your life or the lives of others. Just do good enough for yourself and the world around you so that we may all focus our attention to the things that truly matter. Be enough.