Acceptance Doesn't Mean Agreement

We all face situations in our lives that are challenging, unexpected, undesirable and out of our control.

It can be tempting to resist, deny or fight against these situations, hoping that they will go away or change with force. Which at times is worth a try and successful. 

But when is it time to cut the situation, and yourself, some slack?

3 signs it's a good time to move into a state of acceptance ↓

1. When Repeated Attempts Have Failed: If you have been trying to fix a situation for an extended period without progress, it may be a sign that you need to take a step back and accept the situation as it is. It could be a sign that the problem is beyond your control, and no amount of effort can change the outcome.

2. When You Feel Emotional Exhaustion: Trying to fix a problem can be emotionally taxing, especially when your efforts aren't being reflected in the results you're looking for. If you find yourself feeling emotionally drained, frustrated, or anxious, it may be a sign that you need to take a break or let it go.

3. When There's Resistance From Others: Sometimes, we cannot fix a situation without the cooperation of others. If you are facing resistance from others or the situation requires more resources than you have, it may be a sign that you need to accept the situation and move on to something else.

Research shows that accepting a situation that's out of our control, say the Covid-19 lockdowns, or healing from a broken bone or the end of a relationship, for example, is more beneficial for our emotional and mental wellbeing than continuing to fight it. 

Acceptance does not mean agreement. It means acknowledging and coming to terms with what is happening without necessarily liking or approving of it.

Acceptance allows us to step back from the situation, observe it from a distance, and respond with clarity and composure.

When we resist or deny what is happening, we become emotionally entangled, leading to increased stress,  anxiety, frustration, disappointment and sadness - all that over an extended period of time can have a really damaging effect on your central nervous system and mental health. 

Acceptance, on the other hand, frees us from this emotional entanglement, enabling us to think more clearly, make better decisions, and take more effective action.

Acceptance does not mean we are defeated, giving up or settling for less than we deserve.

Rather, it means recognizing that some things are beyond our control and that we can choose to focus on what we can control – our reactions, attitudes, and actions.

Practising acceptance takes practice and patience. It involves acknowledging your emotions, allowing yourself to feel them, and then consciously choosing to let go of the ones that do not serve you.

Mindfulness meditation, journaling, therapy and EFT Tapping can all be useful tools in developing acceptance. Tap along with the 1-Mintute of EFT Tapping for Acceptance video below and incorporate your own 'Tap & Talk' at the end.




Practice acceptance regularly, and you'll see positive changes in your emotional and mental wellbeing.