In my last post, we explored the power of radical acceptance—giving ourselves permission to acknowledge reality as it is, without resistance or judgment. We named the exhaustion that comes with fighting what we cannot change and recognized that acceptance is not about giving up but about reclaiming our energy for what truly matters.
What Comes After Radical Acceptance?
But what comes after radical acceptance? What do we do once we’ve faced our truth with open eyes and an open heart, ready to step into our power?
We begin the work of embracing our essence.
What Is Essence?
Essence is the fundamental nature of who you are—your core, your truth, your being that remains unchanged despite external forces. It is not defined by what you do or what others think of you; rather, it is the deep, intrinsic worth that has always existed within you.
Your essence is the part of you that is not conditioned by societal expectations, trauma, or doubt. It is the source of your authenticity, resilience, and presence in the world.
The Lie of Not-Enoughness
So many of us have been conditioned to believe:
We are too much or not enough.
Too loud, too soft, too sensitive, too strong, not strong enough.
These messages are especially sharp for those of us navigating systems that were never built for our survival, let alone our thriving. Black women, Black and Brown folks, people whose identities live at the intersections of oppression—we are constantly measuring ourselves against expectations that were never meant to hold us with care.
Radical acceptance is the first step in undoing these narratives. But the deeper work is in learning to love and embrace the essence of who we are, outside of what the world has told us we should be.
Your Essence Was Never in Question
✨ You were enough before the world tried to break you.
✨ You were enough before (and after) the DEI initiatives, before the workplace gaslighting, before the exhaustion of proving your worth.
✨ You were enough before the grief, before the loss, before the weight of what you carry.
✨ And you are enough now.
It does not mean perfection. It does not mean you have it all figured out. It does not mean you are never tired, never angry, never unsure.
It means you are worthy, just as you are. It means there is nothing broken about you, even while you heal.
Choosing Liberation Over Survival
Many of us have been taught to survive. To keep pushing. To endure.
And while survival is necessary, I invite you to consider this:
💡 What if there is more for you than survival?
💡 What if you were meant to live, to thrive, to be held in care, to experience joy, ease, and love—not just in the future, but now?
Embracing your essence means allowing yourself to be fully seen, by yourself first, and then by those who are worthy of witnessing you. It means resting, not because you have earned it, but because you deserve it. It means setting boundaries, not because you are difficult, but because you are worthy of peace.
It means choosing yourself first, even when the world tells you that you should be last.
A Practice of Returning to Yourself
Embodying your essence is not a destination; it is a practice. Some days it will come naturally, and other days, you will need to repeatedly remind yourself that:
You are enough.
You are deserving.
You belong to yourself before you belong to anyone else.
💡 If you're ready to deepen this work, take a moment to sit with these reflection questions and journal your thoughts. Your essence is already within you—now it’s time to embrace it fully.
Reflection Questions
✨ What part of me have I been withholding from my own embrace?
✨ Where am I still waiting for permission to take up space?
✨How can I begin treating myself with the tenderness I so freely give to others?
Radical acceptance lights the way for your essence to guide you home to yourself.
You are not alone on this journey. Whenever you need a reminder, I’ll be here to reflect back the truth—you are already enough.
💜 With care,
Sauntia
📢 I’d love to hear from you! What resonated most with you in this post? Drop a comment below or share your thoughts with me on:
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/sauntia
or
Let’s continue this conversation!
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