Affirmation for Self Acceptance

I Accept Myself for Who I am

I gave a speech this past week at the Whitman School of Business at Syracuse University. My topic was: Three things you can implement today for better mental health tomorrow. It went well, and I am enjoying speaking more. Meditation was my first topic in the speech, and I explained to the students why it is so important. I shared a story of when I was a young girl and how I’d freak out about my hair if one piece were out of place. My older brother nicknamed me Hairy and would make fun of me. I’d have full-on melt-downs as I’d fixate on what was wrong or not perfect. I judged myself harshly from the outside. I validated myself if my hair looked good, I had the right outfit, or I fit in at school. This followed me into my teens and college years until I discovered yoga and meditation.

When we meditate, we quiet our minds and connect with ourselves. We start to listen to our inner voice and appreciate ourselves for the intrinsic value we bring, not some sort of external confirmation. There were no mirrors in my yoga class. I was able to feel myself move through space in a moving meditation as I connected to my body and breath. It is a mind shift as we begin to work in as opposed to work out. We explore our inner space instead of being pulled by things on the outside of us. We can navigate the outer world better when we have our own inner compass and guide. Mentally, we feel more sound, more calm, more whole.

The same older brother (who used to tease me as we were growing up) and I were having a conversation recently, and he mentioned how he thought it was hard for me to have a strong point of view or stance. I’d often want to blend in with whomever I’m with and please those around me. This was very detrimental in my past relationships, and it took a long time to extricate myself from my most recent one that wasn’t healthy.

Meditation has been my go-to every time I stray from myself. Every time I doubt myself or let others dictate how I should believe or be, I turn to my twice-daily practice and remind myself of who I am. I am still a work in progress, but I embrace myself fully as I continue to grow and develop as the person I want to be. I have to accept everything about myself and who I am right now to honor everything I’ve been through and decide how to proceed. Maybe parts of me are just awesome, and I want to hold on to them. Maybe some parts of me can be improved, or I may want to let go of them, and that’s cool too. It all starts with self-love and self-acceptance.

Self-acceptance doesn't mean perfection—it means showing up for yourself, flaws and all. In those moments when doubt creeps in or when I feel overwhelmed, I go back to my breath and remember that growth isn't linear. I remind myself that I am worthy of love, just as I am right now.

I’m in a phase of discovery of what is next in my career. Just last week, I was faced with a tough decision, and the old me would have spiraled, looking for others' opinions to guide me. Instead, I sat still, closed my eyes, and simply breathed. It was through that pause that I was able to listen to my intuition and move forward confidently. It wasn’t about finding the ‘right answer’ from someone else but about reconnecting with myself.

I encouraged these young business students, and I encourage you to start by dedicating five minutes in the morning to simply sit in stillness. Close your eyes, focus on your breath, and try to quiet the chatter in your mind. Allow yourself to just be. Over time, this practice will help you feel more grounded and in tune with your inner voice. Then, quietly repeat in your mind:

I ACCEPT MYSELF FOR WHO I AM

I ACCEPT MYSELF FOR WHO I AM

I ACCEPT MYSELF FOR WHO I AM

When you lead from your heart and listen to your own voice and accept yourself fully, your mental state changes completely. Every choice and every action you make comes from a place of inner wisdom, and you grow to trust yourself more and more. You start living the life of your dreams, not anyone else’s.

I’ve shared one of the most important tools in my mental health toolkit: meditation. It’s been a game-changer for me, but there are still two more simple practices I’ll share with you next time that have helped me build a stronger mental foundation.

If you’re ready to dive deeper into taking control of your mental well-being, stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll walk you through these other powerful practices that can lead to better mental health tomorrow. Until then, remember, you are enough just as you are.