Sometimes we are faced with crises that seem insurmountable. We fight reality in our mind. This CAN’T be happening to me. When we refuse to accept something hard, like a breakup, a job loss, or a chronic illness, we tend to pile suffering on top of the original pain caused by the situation. How do we get out of this pit?
Radical acceptance is a powerful tool to use in painful situations. Radical acceptance is the practice of fully acknowledging reality as it is, letting go of the internal battle with reality. At its core, radical acceptance is about acknowledging: this IS happening. It does NOT mean we like it or think it is fair, right, or deserved. And it does not mean that we are giving up or won’t take action if warranted. In fact, once we acknowledge the truth of the situation, we can better consider how to respond effectively.
Radical acceptance can be incredibly challenging. For example, radically accepting a break-up might be particularly difficult if you are devastated and believe that you were wronged or that you have wasted years of your life, or that it will be impossible to find a new partner. Individual therapy can provide a safe space to work through these obstacles to acceptance so that you can heal from the break-up and move forward toward your life goals.