Self-Acceptance – How to Accept Yourself Without Giving Up on Change

Being Well podcast artwork

Host

Forrest Hanson

Guest

Dr. Rick Hanson, psychologist and New York Times best-selling author

Can you accept yourself while still recognizing the things you want to change?

Dr. Rick and Forrest Hanson unpack what self-acceptance really means, why it doesn’t require approving of every behavior, and how harsh self-criticism can sometimes get in the way of growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up: Accepting where you are and wanting to change don’t have to be opposites.
  • Watch how you respond to mistakes: Self-criticism isn’t always as productive as it may seem.
  • Separate the behavior from the self: Rick’s three circles model offers a different way to understand something we regret without reducing ourselves to it.
  • Learn to stay with discomfort: The way we respond when we recognize our shortcomings may determine what happens next.

Being Well Podcast offers science-based practices and curated insights for better mental health. New episodes usually air Mondays.

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