If you’re anything like me, you must also dislike hearing the marketing tactic, “New Year, New You.” It implies that the current me is not worthy of taking into the new year, so I must reinvent myself or make myself anew. But I get the symbolism of a “new you” embarking in the new year refreshed and with a clean slate. It sounds ideal, but change doesn’t happen overnight.
Instead, let’s try “New Year, New Mindset.” Because maybe what you need isn’t a “new you,” maybe all you need is a new mindset, or a shift in perspective and that switch in mindsets can start with radical self-acceptance.
No resolutions, just radical self-acceptance.
What is Radical Self-Acceptance? 🤔
Beginning a journey of radical self-acceptance at the start of the year instead of working on a “new you” is gentler and organic. Instead of focusing on daily routines, sticking to planners, making bucket lists, or travel plans, radical self-acceptance simply asks you to look within.
Radical self-acceptance is the simple act of embracing all of you, flaws and all. The human experience is messy af, so why do we try so hard to be perfect? We’re supposed to fuck up. We’re supposed to make mistakes and try again. It’s okay.
Radical self-acceptance asks you to embrace the duality that YOU are perfectly imperfect.
You can do this by:
✿ forgiving yourself for making mistakes
✿ accepting responsibility for mistakes
✿ letting go of things that weigh you down
✿ being authentic about where you are in life
✿ being grateful for the good and bad in your life
✿ not comparing your life to others’ lives
Books for Your Journey to Radical Self-Acceptance 💙
If you’re starting on a journey of radical self-acceptance, these insightful books can guide you along the way:
- You Are Your Best Thing by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown
- You Were Born For This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance by Chani Nicholas
- But What Will People Say?: Navigating Mental Health, Identity, Love, and Family Between Cultures by Sahaj Kaur Kohli
- The Body is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
- The Pain We Carry: Healing from Complex PTSD for People of Color by Natalie Y Gutiérrez
- Be Not Afraid of Love by Mimi Zhu
VULNERABILITY. SHAME RESILIENCE. THE BLACK EXPERIENCE.
You Are Your Best Thing
edited by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown
Burke and Brown usher in this stark, potent collection of essays on Black shame and healing. Along with the anthology contributors, they create a space to recognize and process the trauma of white supremacy, a space to be vulnerable and affirm the fullness of Black love and Black life.
ASTROLOGY. BIRTH CHARTS. AN AUTHENTIC YOU.
YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS
by Chani Nicholas
A transformative guide to radical self-acceptance. Beyond typical horoscopes, Chani delves into your birth chart, revealing unique talents and opportunities. This modern approach blends astrology traditions in a choose-your-own-adventure style with journal prompts and affirmations, empowering you to embrace your life path. The book is not therapy but therapeutic, guiding you inward to commit to self-acceptance and your life’s purpose.
MENTAL HEALTH. IDENTITY. MULTICULTURAL.
But What Will People Say?
by Sahaj Kaur Kohli
Dive in for an inspiring journey with therapist Sahaj Kaur Kohli (@browngirltherapy), who is reshaping traditional therapy models. This book boldly addresses marginalized voices, providing a roadmap for navigating cultural complexities and prioritizing mental health. As a child of immigrants, Sahaj shares her personal quest for understanding and self-acceptance, weaving together anecdotes, research, and advice. It’s a revolutionary step towards radical self-acceptance, challenging stigma, and celebrating diverse healing journeys. This book is your guide to embracing your unique path, fostering personal and collective well-being with a spirit of inclusivity.
BODY IMAGE. SELF-LOVE. HUMAN DIVERSITY.
THE BODY IS NOT AN APOLOGY
edited by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown
In this book, human diversity is celebrated, and oppressive systems are challenged. Sonya Renee Taylor, a renowned activist and poet, offers radical self-love as the antidote to heal wounds inflicted by societal judgments on beliefs, morals, and bodies. Taylor inspires us to reconnect with our radical roots, celebrating collective strength. By dismantling ingrained body shame, we ignite a global movement, interrupting systems of oppression. Embracing radical self-love becomes a transformative force, paving the way for a more just, equitable, and compassionate world for everyone.
VULNERABILITY. SHAME RESILIENCE. THE BLACK EXPERIENCE.
The Pain We Carry
by Natalie Y Gutiérrez, LMFT
Dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of complex trauma and reclaiming your mind, body, and spirit. Tailored for people of color navigating repeated traumas, this groundbreaking work sheds light on the unique experience of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). Offering powerful tools, it guides you to understand, heal, and feel safer in your body, fostering self-compassion and resilience. Learn to reconnect with ancestral wisdom, untangle trauma’s connection to grief, and persist in intentionality amid an oppressive system. It’s time to shed burdens, find relief, and celebrate your strength for a life of resilience and empowerment.
LOVE. RELATIONSHIPS. HEALING.
BE NOT AFRAID OF LOVE
by Mimi Zhu
A poignant collection of interconnected essays and affirmations. Mimi Zhu shares their powerful odyssey of relearning love after surviving intimate-partner abuse in their early twenties. This stunning and provocative book serves as a guide, inspiring readers to embrace love with softness. It’s a testament to human strength and adaptability, exploring the intersections of love and fear in various life aspects. Through personal encounters with oppression, healing, joy, and community, Mimi encourages readers to reflect on their own experiences, offering a revolutionary guide to undoing hurt and uncertainty. In this heartrending work, Mimi’s reminder echoes: be not afraid of love.
Embrace the power of radical self-acceptance with these captivating reads and ignite your path towards genuine self-discovery and empowerment.
Additional Online Reads 📲
Learn more about radical self-acceptance from these free online resources.
- Radical Self-Acceptance by Isa Acebal
- How To Practice Self-Acceptance (And Why That’s Not The Same As Complacency) by Ryan Haddon
- How to Embrace Radical Self-Acceptance by Arlin Cuncic, MA
Instead of a new you, radically accept the real you.
the bookish b* 