Self-Acceptance

My refusal to be in any adversarial relationship

"Self-acceptance is my refusal to be in an adversarial relationship with myself."

—Nathaniel Branden

This quote stopped me in my tracks the first time I encountered it. I was enrolled in a partial hospitalization program (PHP) struggling to come to terms with a destructive mixed episode and eating disorder relapse.

I didn't really love myself too much right then.
But I also couldn't stop being myself or start being someone else.

There was a lot of acceptance that needed to happen and a lot of it was me needing to stop hating myself.

But why, I sucked?

And then this quote.

Me and myself are in a relationship for life. Doesn't matter if I like it. I wouldn't let most people be this mean to me.