Radical Acceptance
A practice for peace, clarity, and forward movement.
Radical acceptance is a concept DBT(Dialectical Behavior Therapy) that invites us to fully acknowledge reality as it is, without denial, resistance, or judgment. It’s radical because it goes to the root (Latin: radix): it is complete and unconditional. It doesn’t mean we like it, agree with it, or approve of it. It simply means: This is what’s happening. This is what is.
By not resisting reality, we stop layering extra suffering (like blame, or frustration etc) on top of what’s already painful. We also make space for something new: clarity, choice, and wise action. Once we stop resisting, we’re no longer stuck. We can finally ask: Now that I see things clearly, what’s a wise, self-honoring next step?
Some Concrete Daily exercises
What reality am I struggling to accept right now? Eg: an emotion, a situation, a limitation, or a difference in someone else…
What thoughts or beliefs are adding more pain? Eg: This shouldn’t be happening, why…
Can I gently affirm what’s true, without fighting it? Eg: This is what’s true right now, Even if I don’t like it or don’t understand it, this is what is..
What opens up when I stop resisting? Eg: What becomes possible now inside me, or in how I respond?
How Radical Acceptance Helps Us Accept Others
Radical acceptance doesn’t just apply to situations, it applies to people, too. It teaches us to acknowledge that others are different, and that’s okay. It helps us let go of needing people to match our values, ways, or pace. It invites us to trade judgment for curiosity and control for respect. When we radically accept others as they are, we become more open-minded, less reactive, and more able to relate with compassion and peace.
