Understanding there are many things out of your control is the beginning step of radical acceptance. This does not mean that you have to be content with your surroundings, only that it can help ignite genuine acceptance without resistance. When you choose to work towards ending the pain in your life and release the elements of uncontrolled emotions, you can explore a deeper connection with radical acceptance. In the beginning, you may feel intimidated by the recovery process and uneasy about confronting its challenges, but the experience through recovery helps you work toward acceptance.
Every person experiences pain in life, both physically and emotionally. Experiencing pain is a signal of something that may be wrong. However, progress comes from how we choose to deal with that pain. Dealing with the pain is attributed to the overall result of our well-being.
Many times, individuals choose to resist pain or incorporate unhealthy habits to minimize their discomfort. This contributes to not accepting reality, turning pain into suffering. Unhealthy habits can cause continual distress with problem-solving, making you uncomfortable and miserable and avoiding positive change. If you learn how to accept reality and face the pain head-on, you learn your brand of radical acceptance.
Radical acceptance is the ability to respond in a positive light without letting the influence of impulsive or destructive behaviors get in the way.
When you learn to let go of negative reactions and bitter emotions that are trapping you in a cycle of pain and suffering, you embrace reality. This may feel uncomfortable or undesirable. However, by examining the situations that cause your pain, you can better equip yourself with the tools and resources to redirect your life in a positive direction, even when pain arises.
Radical acceptance helps you embrace your reality rather than ignore it. If you can break the cycle of your pain, your negative emotions, and your destructive behaviors, you propel yourself towards a brighter future.
It is normal to experience struggles. You may even feel like you can’t defeat them. However, there are ways to let go. In your life, understanding yourself can help you influence the outcomes, even those that are out of your control. Radical acceptance comes into play here, as it teaches you how to move through difficult circumstances.
You’re not alone, as many people who go through the recovery process have survived difficult situations or experienced uncontrolled circumstances. Practicing self-acceptance is a way to adapt to the change of recovery and embrace it, all while learning to forgive yourself and letting go of painful and destructive behaviors.
Radical acceptance addresses different struggles in life, including resisting reality, prolonging pain, coping with loss and grief, and coping with our impulsive reactions. Overall, radical acceptance teaches you how to move past the stress and painful experiences without having to dwell on them for long periods. When you practice radical acceptance, you gain the benefit of improving yourself and your relationships by accepting others and yourself.
Practicing radical acceptance allows you to move forward in your journey and eliminates barriers to negative thought processes and reactions. When you learn to accept something that happened to you and understand that there is no future harm coming from it, you can learn to move forward, using those insights to minimize your pain.
Some ways you can practice radical acceptance include:
Radical acceptance is a journey and a skill that requires practice and patience. When you practice radical acceptance, you learn to use your coping mechanisms in difficult situations even if you still feel disappointed or emotional about the circumstance. You are more prepared for challenges and difficult situations when you train your mind to practice radical acceptance and understand there is something to learn in every experience.
There are many times in life where opportunity presents itself in ways you may not foresee. Multiple problems and scenarios may occur where control is out of your hands. However, if you know you can change your perception of the event, your acceptance can make all the difference in the situation.
The initial step to begin your radical acceptance journey is by honing your focus, patience, and perseverance. If you notice that some situations or emotions don’t seem fair, you can train your mind to let those thoughts pass or address the situation at hand.
Radical acceptance is a tool to help you through recovery and in your aftercare path. It requires continuous training and care to understand that pain and suffering do not need to be extended in life but can instead be accepted.
Those struggling with substance use can utilize radical acceptance to drastically reduce chances of relapse and increase long-term lasting sobriety. When you put yourself in a position to clarify and calm yourself through the hard challenges of life, you can then determine the right choices that are logical for you. At NorthStar Transitions, we teach you about letting go of previous thoughts and misconceptions about your feelings, judgments, and previous situations that cause you suffering. We teach you how to overcome certain situations and face reality as it is designed to be. We understand that radical acceptance is going to be different for everyone, just as the path of recovery differs. If you or someone you love wants to develop the skills and make the process of recovery easier for yourself and those around you, putting faith into radical acceptance can help. Learn more with NorthStar Transitions or call us at (303) 558-6400.
