Acceptance

Acceptance is something we all seek. In this big world filled with so many people, human beings strive to find a place where they fit in and belong. To be accepted by others, just for being ourselves and to not be rejected or ostracized. As human beings are social animals, we thrive in the attention of other people. We have a particular need for acceptance by those in authority and those who we want be our friends.

We also have a tendency to analyse other people, comparing how they behave and consequently judging them good or bad, right or wrong, competent or incompetent. We are more likely to accept people who pass this social test. The opposite of acceptance is rejection, which is a form of identity destruction. If a person does not pass the tests and evaluations we place on them, we will reject them or socially downgrade them. This can vary in strengths, from simply ignoring them to public criticism and ostracization. Fear of such treatment often drives us harder to seek acceptance.

I have found on various medical websites by researching that being rejected has actually been proven to be bad for your health. Rejected people don’t sleep well, their immune systems sputter, and they even tend to die sooner than people who are surrounded by others who care about them. Being excluded is also associated with poor mental health. People with depression may face exclusion more often because of the symptoms of their disorder—and being rejected makes them more depressed. People with social anxiety navigate their world constantly worried about being socially rejected.

People should know how to cope with rejection because we are rejected in some way or form on a semi-regular basis. Especially since our bodies respond to rejection like they do to physical pain; the pain should be taken seriously, and you should seek out support. Surround yourself with people who accept and support you for who you truly are. Understand that not everyone can or will accept you and steel yourself so that you can accept and work on criticisms.