We often carry more tension than the moment truly requires. It's not always the events themselves that weigh us down; it’s the inner struggle against them. We replay what went wrong, anticipate what might go wrong, and try to force outcomes we cannot control. In doing so, we pile stress upon stress, exhausting our energy and fogging up any last remnants of mental clarity.

Acceptance is often misunderstood as passive resignation, as giving up. But what if it were something entirely different? What if acceptance were a conscious choice; a way to step out of the constant friction and make space for clarity, calm, and resilience?

Think of it as an attempt to hold back the ocean's tide; bracing and pushing against it with all your strength, yet the water continues to flow... The struggle won't stop the tide, it will only wear you down. Now imagine standing in the water with awareness, letting the tide move around you without surrendering your footing. You are not giving up; you are choosing where to put your energy.

Acceptance works in a similar way. It doesn’t mean we stop taking action, setting boundaries, or pursuing goals. It means we stop expending energy on resistance that yields nothing, on the fight against things that simply are. Struggle becomes optional, because we no longer feel compelled to wrestle with reality itself.

Even in my own life, this has shown me its value. The past weeks have reminded me how quickly plans can be disrupted - illness, family challenges, unplanned detours, business problems. I noticed how much heavier everything felt on days where I fought reality, compared to those moments when I allowed myself to meet the circumstances with presence and awareness. That simple shift did not solve everything, or make me like what was happening. However, it made moving through those days far easier, in a calmer and more focused manner, making it all a little more manageable.

There are simple ways you can practise acceptance, starting right now

If you'd like to explore this concept for yourself, here are two small practices you can try today.

Practice 1: “This is what’s here”

The next time you feel tension, physical or emotional, pause for just five seconds. Instead of reacting or judging, quietly say to yourself: "This is what's here." No analysis. No fixing. Just noticing.

You might be surprised by the relief that might come simply from naming it without fighting it.

Practice 2: One slow, gentle exhale

When your mind starts rushing into “I need to sort this… I should be coping better… Why is this happening?”, try this:

• Take one longer exhale than usual.

• As you breathe out, imagine releasing just 1% of the effort.

• Not the whole struggle; just a thread of it.

Acceptance doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be subtle, almost invisible — a softer inner stance. And if that one exhalation feels good, may try two or three. The more you give yourself that time with those exhalations, the more you are able to re-focus your mind, steady your body and calm your nervous system.

Acceptance is a quiet strength. It’s the kind of resilience that doesn’t shout or push, but simply holds space for what is. It allows us to respond rather than react, to act with steadiness rather than compulsion.

Struggle doesn’t have to be inevitable. Acceptance isn’t surrender. By choosing where we meet tension and where we release it, we make space for something far richer; clarity, resilience, and a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us.

Would you like support in practising this?

If these reflections resonate, and you’d like some guidance in cultivating acceptance and inner ease, you’re warmly invited to join my Self-Care Circle Membership.

Inside, you’ll find:

✨ Guided mindfulness meditations designed to help you soften resistance and settle into calm
🧘‍♀️ Short movement practices for easing physical tension when the mind feels busy
🌿 A quiet space to return to whenever you feel overwhelmed

It’s not about striving to be better — it’s about learning to meet yourself as you are, with kindness.

If that sounds like something you’re ready for, I’d love to welcome you in. Start here with a FREE 7-day trial ❤️