Blog 27: Quote 4

If you cannot accept yourself, then you assume that others will not be able to either. This belief is what leads one to hide who they really are. "The distinctive attributes of unconditional self-acceptance are that the individuals are able to fully and unconditionally accept themselves whether or not they behave correctly or whether other people approve of them" (Macinnes, 484). What this means is that you should absolutely accept yourself no matter what; even if someone else does not. Self-acceptance and self-esteem have been shown to have a high positive correlation (484). Therefore, if you accept yourself you will in turn feel more confident in yourself and hopefully won’t feel the need to hide your true self. For all you know, the person you’re hiding from would accept you with all your “flaws.”

 I think sometimes we forget that no one is perfect and we hold ourselves or others to an unfair high standard. Most likely, if you meet someone and you really connect with them you will be able to over look a few things. For example, an annoying habit or something temporary that will soon change. Just think, if you know that you are willing to do this for someone, they are probably going to do the same. So the moral of the story is, to accept yourself and let others see the true you. Only the people who stick around after that are worth your time. Who wants to be around someone who they always have to put a show on for anyway? Not me.

MACINNES, D. L. "Self-esteem and self-acceptance: an examination into their relationship and their effect on psychological health." Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing 13.5 (2006): 483-489. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 1 Feb. 2011.