How to Be More Accepting of Others (and Why it Helps Your Wellbeing!)
What an incredibly boring old world it would be if we were all the same. Still, navigating the complex diversities that surround us on a daily basis can sometimes feel challenging; particularly in cases where someone’s world view differs drastically from our own.
In the past year, tensions have run high between anti-vaxxers and those happy to get the Covid jab; the internet frequently pits parents against one another with ‘breast is best’ vs. ‘fed is best’; Brexit has created a greater degree of division than many of us are comfortable with, and the age old differences in our individual identities abound.
But trying to change anyone is a great deal of wasted energy. Unless someone’s views or actions are harmful, the most peaceful approach is always to live and let live, and fully embrace the beautiful spectrum of humanity that surrounds us.
Creating a More Inclusive World
Whether it’s race, religion, gender identity, sexuality, class, political bent, or general world view, we’re all incredibly different. Much like our fingerprints, no two people are exactly the same. So why would we waste our precious time fighting against those differences?
The world is slowly evolving to become more inclusive and accepting, but we all need to get on board if we want to see real change. It can be difficult to break inbuilt thought patterns, so don’t be too harsh on yourself if you sometimes find change a struggle. The main thing is that you’re here – which means you want to learn, adapt, and improve your interactions with those around you.
So, let’s get to it.
5 Steps to Becoming More Accepting of Others
You can’t change other people; you shouldn’t try to (even if you sometimes want to), so the best recourse – for your own peace of mind – is to learn how to put your differences aside, and respect the wildly differing people that you share this beautiful planet with.
Learn about them. You might clash with someone whose opinions are dramatically different to your own, but chances are, you’ve got more in common than you think. There might also be something in their past that’s led to how they think, feel and act in the present, and understanding that could give you a far greater insight into who (and why) they are.
Consider their stance. You’re never going to agree with everybody, but it can really help you to make peace with all of the opposing viewpoints out there if you try to put yourself in somebody else’s shoes. Try to understand why they might feel the way they feel; ask yourself why their experience is so different from your own.
Embrace what makes us different. Even siblings, with the same parents, can be polar opposites: one introvert, one extrovert; one a homebody, the other an intrepid explorer. So if siblings can differ so much, it’s nonsensical to expect people from entirely different walks of life to be the same. Acknowledge people’s differences, and embrace them.
Pause. When you meet someone from a different walk of life, it can be tempting to put forward a barrage of questions, or argue the viewpoints that seem most natural to you. But before you speak, stop and think about how your questions could be construed, and ask yourself if your arguments might be hurtful.
Let go of the past. Your own beliefs and opinions have undoubtedly been informed by your past experiences, which means it’s always wise to revaluate – and often. You might have had a negative experience at some point in your life that influenced your view of a certain type of person, but is that fair? Does your view still ring true?
Challenging your own thoughts and long-held beliefs isn’t always a walk in the park, and you’ll likely need some practice if you really want to nail a new way of thinking. But the benefits of becoming more accepting, and less judgmental, make the effort more than worthwhile.
How Accepting Others Helps Us
Meaningful connections and strong relationships are central to our wellbeing, but if everyone we surround ourselves with is from the same background and holds the same opinions as us, it leaves very little room for personal growth.
As humans, we should always be learning. Soaking up other cultures, exploring different beliefs, and experiencing fresh ways of thinking helps us to remain open-minded, and open to the world around us.
We know that in the workplace, diverse teams tend to perform better than carbon-copy counterparts, so it follows that having a diverse social circle is a recipe for personal evolution. There’s also evidence to suggest that being more accepting of others means you’ll be happier in yourself and more positive in general – and doesn’t that sound so much better than arguing with strangers on the internet?