Learning to Love Myself: A Journey of Self-Acceptance
Written on
Chapter 1: A Conversation Within
This segment marks the continuation of an introspective dialogue aimed at fostering self-love and acceptance.
Me: Hey Rhys, are you there?
New Me: Absolutely.
Me: Our last discussion was quite enlightening; can we delve deeper?
New Me: I was hoping you'd ask! What’s on your mind?
Me: I want to further explore my identity. You're right; the more I embrace who I am, the better I understand myself, and vice versa.
New Me: That sounds promising.
Section 1.1: Understanding My Irritability
Me: Why do I often feel grumpy and irritable?
New Me: I've been pondering this as well.
Me: Despite having a supportive family and a lovely home, I find myself frequently in a bad mood.
New Me: A lot of that can be attributed to depression, which has intensified over the past year. But it's likely always been lurking beneath the surface. Would you agree?
Me: I'm uncertain; my memories are a bit hazy. Yet, I do acknowledge that it's worsened recently. What's the reason?
Subsection 1.1.1: Contextualizing Grumpiness
New Me: To understand your irritability, we should consider specific instances. When was the last time you felt irritable?
Me: Just a few minutes ago; I had to discipline my son and felt quite grumpy about it.
New Me: Do you know when you're at your grumpiest?
Me: No.
New Me: It's when you're exhausted. You need to be kinder to yourself; parenting can be exhausting. You consistently guide your kids, yet they often resist. It's part of being a parent.
Section 1.2: Accepting Limitations
Me: It’s so tiring, though.
New Me: Indeed. The most exhausting aspect is attempting to herd cats, metaphorically speaking.
Me: What do you mean?
New Me: You spend your energy trying to guide them in one direction, but they inevitably go their own way. You can either keep trying, leading to an endless cycle of frustration, or you can accept that some battles are unwinnable.
Chapter 2: Embracing Acceptance
Me: Is this about acceptance again?
New Me: Exactly. With your children, it's crucial to choose your battles wisely. Avoid being overly controlling; as long as they’re safe, allow them some freedom. This will help you feel more in control without the fear of failure.
About Me - YouTube: In this video, Rhys shares his journey toward self-acceptance, detailing his struggles and triumphs along the way. A heartfelt exploration of personal growth.
Me: I’ll give that a try.
New Me: It won’t be straightforward; changing habits takes time.
Me: The more I reflect, the more I see the link between fatigue and irritability. Is there anything I can do to boost my energy?
New Me: Absolutely. Focus on the fundamentals: nutrition, exercise, and sleep. And remember to be gentle with yourself; your depression affects your sleep quality. It will improve in time.
Section 2.1: Breaking the Cycle of Grumpiness
Me: I don’t want to be grumpy anymore; it’s unfair to those around me.
New Me: You won’t be. For now, don’t worry about others’ perceptions; those who care will understand, and those who don’t aren’t significant.
Me: I have another concern. I wish I weren’t so singularly focused.
New Me: Is being single-minded an issue?
Me: I never thought it was, but after our last chat, I’ve realized it can be detrimental. I tend to obsess over new hobbies, which ultimately becomes overwhelming.
Interview | First Words - Rhys Williams - YouTube: Rhys dives deeper into his thought processes and the challenges he faces regarding obsession and focus in this insightful interview.
New Me: That sounds counterproductive. You may want to approach new interests more casually. You don’t need to become an expert or research exhaustively. Why do you feel compelled to do that?
Me: I’m not entirely sure.
New Me: May I venture a guess?
Me: Please do.
Section 2.2: The Burden of Expectations
New Me: It seems like you’re concerned about how others perceive you.
Me: Really? I don’t often think about others.
New Me: But you do. You fear that people may judge your intelligence based on your knowledge of various topics.
Me: I hadn’t considered that.
New Me: You developed an inferiority complex because of this. You excelled in school, but that came with high expectations that you now carry into every aspect of life.
Me: That makes sense.
New Me: It’s time to shift your focus. Research only what genuinely interests you without the pressure to be an expert.
Me: I think I can manage that.
New Me: You will. Remember, this journey revolves around regaining control over your life. Just as you can’t control every aspect of your children’s lives, you don’t need to control everything in yours.
Me: This sounds like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy principles.
New Me: Exactly! I’m just reminding you of what you already know.
Me: I’ll give it a shot. However, I’m a bit confused. May I ask something?
New Me: Of course.
Me: Last time, you advised me to accept who I am.
New Me: That’s still true. But I’m suggesting you ease up on your grip. Allow your authentic self to emerge. Releasing control will enable you to feel better.
Me: Got it. I’ll try to relax more.
New Me: I’m proud of you.
Me: Thank you. I’m grateful for this dialogue.
New Me: Me too. Let’s continue this journey together!