What is the essence of contentment? You are probably more than familiar with the phrase or idea that you should be happy with what you have. At the same time, when you don’t have much, it can be easy to question such a concept. For a lot of people, happiness is elusive. It’s impossible to hold onto because there’s always some piece of the puzzle that doesn’t fit in their life.
In a perfect world, we would all be on the path towards wellness and contentment. So, this is your opportunity to set yourself on the path to contentment, and acceptance is key.
The concept of contentment through acceptance comes from the idea that someone can feel satisfied with life, feel at peace with who they are, and be comfortable with where they are in life if they simply accept it. See the post about stop looking outside yourself.
Through self-appreciation and self-acceptance of the present moment, you can achieve a level of contentment that has so far eluded you. You can achieve a level of tranquillity and inner peace that you can move forward with.
A Life Without Contentment
For a lot of people, life is a competition. They constantly strive for more because they are comparing themselves with others, desperate to improve and claw ahead of the pack. Whether it’s their personal wealth, job title, home, or car.
There’s always something to upgrade or improve. This type of feeling will always stand in the way of contentment because how can you recognize your good fortune if you are so focused on getting more than what you already have?
These types of people struggle to recognize true milestones and achievements because it never feels like it’s enough. The urge to push on overwhelms any feeling of contentment. It’s a burden and it can be overwhelming.
For the people who shape their lives around pursuing accomplishments and goals, it can be challenging to appreciate those accomplishments. Even if they realize the vision they created of their ideal life and lifestyle, even if they check every box on their list, it still might not be enough.
Love Who You Are
Contentment is a crucial part of the human experience, even though it eludes many. It might not provide you with immediate benefits that you notice; the essence of contentment can change your daily life and help you improve your relationships.
The first step to achieving contentment is acceptance. It’s the acceptance of who you are right now. It’s the acceptance of who you were in the past, even if you didn’t like yourself. Contentment is the acceptance of your situation. It’s acceptance of your position, your family, and every part of your life. When you finally accept this, what next?
Contentment can bring you peace of mind. Through acceptance of your life, you can enjoy a renewed positivity and peace of mind that will allow you to enjoy your days more. It doesn’t mean you can’t continue working toward improving yourself or your future.
Contentment can improve your feeling of happiness. It’s so closely tied to feelings of happiness, which accepting your situation can boost your happiness levels. When you spend time feeling more grateful for what you have and what you’ve done, you aren’t as obsessed with doing more, which is going to improve your overall quality of life. This is the true essence of contentment—gratitude.
Contentment can lead to healthier relationships. As you accept your current situation and embrace contentment, you become a more positive person to be around. You also find it easier to accept others despite their shortcomings or flaws. It’s easier to build healthier relationships when you accept your situation and find contentment.
Acceptance doesn’t mean you let go of goals or give up on desires. It’s normal to want to improve yourself and, you can do so while still feeling content. With a positive outlook and measure of acceptance, you can lead a life of contentment while still striving for your goals and desired lifestyle.
Grab my Contentment Assessment to discover more.
All the best,
Patti
