Do you accept yourself as you are?

Many people do not live comfortably with themselves on a day-to-day basis. There are several aspects of their life that they do not accept: physical defects, their personal situation, their abilities or lack thereof, the environment that surrounds them...

Due to the stimuli that surround us daily, we create an idyllic image of our life or how it should be. When we perceive that reality is different, or we are aware that everything is not as we would like, a feeling of frustration, anguish or anxiety is generated, which also influences low self-esteem. Real life is not a perfect Instagram post, or an edited ad where nothing imperfect exists, and you have to be aware of that. Comparing yourself to these idyllic images is part of the problem, comparing yourself to other people is the other part. We tend to only look at what we can't do well, but that other people can do. Creating in our thinking the idea that we are not enough.

What is "Wabi-Sabi"?

Today we bring you a term from the West related to acceptance and the imperfections of life. The term Wabi-Sabi comes from Japan and was part of a 12th century philosophy, which they expressed through decoration, but more than decoration, it was a lifestyle. Wabi-Sabi is based on observing the world as it is, and accepting it that way . This term accepts the imperfections of nature, the natural cycle of life, with its growth and decay.

How can we define it in a simple way?

Nothing is perfect and nothing lasts over time . Wabi-Sabi shows love for everything that has some imperfection, and it is what you should learn to do to improve your mental health. You have to see, just as in this philosophy, that each "defect" or "imperfection" that you think you have does not make you less, but rather makes you a unique person .

Does it have any benefits?

Yes, accepting life's natural imperfections comes with a number of benefits. Psychologist Tomás Navarro explains that learning to live with these imperfections is not conformism, and changes your world. By seeing that you are an "imperfect" person, you begin to see that you can learn a lot to improve, and this opens your mind allowing you to change in a positive way. It also helps to better adjust the expectations you have, making them more real, so the decisions you make will be achievable, and this will avoid the frustration that we mentioned at the beginning of the blog.

If you apply this mentality to the rest of the aspects of your life, whether family, relationship, etc... you will realize that imperfections lead to improvement.

For example : We are not the perfect couple, so we will get involved daily in improving in that aspect, and that is not bad, quite the opposite.

What tools do I have to improve my self-esteem?

First, we introduce you to assertiveness . Using assertive communication will help you feel free and set limits to social impositions. If you learn to manage this, your thinking regarding what society thinks will not affect you the same, and you will be able to focus on your own goals .

Secondly, you must be responsible for your life . This means that you must carry out tasks for yourself, even if it means facing new challenges (which is even more positive). In many situations, we think that we are not good enough to carry out a task and we try to get someone else to do it. When you do this, you feed the idea in your head that you are worth less than other people and that you do not have the same capabilities. Therefore, facing these situations yourself, even if it doesn't turn out well, is good for you. As I mentioned before, Tomás Navarro explains that not doing something well only leads to improvement.

Find healthy habits in your life. Doing physical exercise and eating a good diet will help you feel better. It's not about looking for an ideal physique, or going on strict diets. It's about doing some exercise to improve your physical health and eating in a balanced and natural way. Food is very important for mental health.

Although it may seem strange to you, numerous studies show that there is a relationship between the microbiota located in the intestine and the brain. Researcher Yolanda Sanz explains how the digestion of food generates microorganisms that are part of biological stimuli and affects emotions or the endocrine response to stress.

Some elements, such as the chemicals we find in cosmetics that are not natural, also affect our health. These harmful elements, known as endocrine disruptors , alter the normal functioning of our hormonal system. This has negative consequences on our physical and mental health.

That's why our last recommendation is: Always embrace the natural, the imperfect, not only for the planet, but also for yourself!