| I’m Jacob Katz, and this is The Renewal: an independent, ad-free, subscriber-supported health newsletter that summarizes free tools for everyday life. If you’re reading this, keep it to yourself. |
Here’s the dark truth about self improvement that nobody talks about.
You may become the best version of yourself…
But as soon as you learn about what you should be doing — reading more, working out, getting up early — it creates a mental checklist.
A checklist that, if not completed, becomes ammunition you use against yourself.
And that’s because the truth is.
That self-improvement alone doesn’t satisfy us.
Self-improvement is only one part of the journey.
That other half that is vital for growth is self-acceptance.
Accepting where you are right now.
Accepting every small and BIG win.
Learning from our loses and enjoying the now.
But before self-acceptance, we must develop self-awareness.
Recognizing negative self-talk and negative thoughts. Just sitting there and listening to it.
Watching from a third-person view and observing how your mind and body respond to situations.
Imagine yourself as a character in a movie. Watch yourself with curiosity, not judgment.
This helps you become more considerate of your environment and situation.
Self-awareness helps you understand your own needs, desires, strengths, weaknesses, habits, and everything else that makes you tick.
Not just living in your experience, but being conscious of the role you play in it.
Self-acceptance will follow self-awareness, ultimately bringing self-improvement in every aspect of your life, including happiness.
So if you only read one thing today, let it be this.
You are on the right path.
You are right on time.
Don’t stress over things you don’t have control over.
Everything will fall into place.
Better doors will open and you will not need to force it.
It will happen so subtly that you won’t even realize it’s finally happening.
But it is happening. It will happen. Believe this.
Mark your calendar for next Tuesday,
Jacob & The Renewal team