The Creative Mind Newsletter and Podcast
Creative Mind Audio
How self-acceptance is a foundation for a healthy and creative life
Preview
0:00
-5:34

How self-acceptance is a foundation for a healthy and creative life

Self-acceptance, self-compassion, self-regard, healthy self-esteem... how do these impact us, including being creative?

In this episode, a number of artists and psychologists talk about their perspectives and some of the research.

Actor Michelle Rodriguez said, “I don’t think it’s narcissistic at all to love yourself and believe in yourself. I think some people are really scared to do that.

“I have to. If I don’t, I would not succeed in what I do.”

In an interview for The Self-Acceptance Summit, Sounds True founder Tami Simon asked author Elizabeth Gilbert (Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear; Eat, Pray, Love) why self-acceptance is important to her personally.

Gilbert replied: "Well, I mean I’ve kind of been a student of it my whole life because I’ve had to be, because its moments of absence in my life have brought me the darkest pain I’ve ever been in."

Learn about recordings from The Self-Acceptance Summit produced by Sounds True.

Self-Compassion author and researcher Kristin Neff says “We often become our own worst critic because we believe it’s necessary to keep ourselves motivated.

“But the research shows that healthy self-compassion increases our inner drive, our resilience, and our ability to excel."

Books by Kristin Neff, PhD include

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive

Self-Compassion Step by Step: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself (Audible Audiobook)

Actor and playwright Tracy Letts comments:

“It’s hard to give yourself a break, isn’t it? You can’t just decide to do it. It’s not an act of will.

“It takes actual work, whether that means getting sober, getting into therapy, writing or acting in plays, or paying attention and really listening to other people.”

Therapist and author Julie Bjelland, LMFT helps Highly Sensitive People thrive.

She notes "Self-acceptance is one of the greatest foundations of feeling joyful. Conversely, self-rejection can be sneaky and a very painful place to operate from, especially as a deep-feeling, sensitive person."

The final part of this Creative Mind Audio episode is an excerpt from her HSP Podcast Episode 184 The Importance of Self-Acceptance with Willow and Julie.

Listen to this episode with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to The Creative Mind Newsletter and Podcast to listen to this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

The Creative Mind Newsletter and Podcast
Creative Mind Audio
Excerpts of interviews with artists, psychologists and others on creativity research, emotional health, high sensitivity, giftedness. Note: PAID episodes have free previews.