Sunny Wellness of Honey

As the calendar has flipped to a new year, many of us find ourselves in a familiar cycle: setting resolutions, dreaming of reinvention, and committing to becoming the best version of ourselves. Yet, in the midst of this enthusiasm for change, a powerful question often arises in therapy sessions: “What if others don’t support me?”

Whether you’re choosing to improve your mental health, change careers, prioritize family time, or simply say no more often, there will always be those who don’t understand your journey. Inspired by Mel Robbins’ book ‘The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About’, this blog post explores how radical acceptance can empower you to focus on you, no matter what others may think or do.

What is Radical Acceptance?
Radical acceptance is a concept rooted in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) that encourages us to acknowledge reality as it is, rather than resisting or fighting it. It’s not about giving up or agreeing with everything happening around you; rather, it’s about recognizing that we can only control ourselves—not the actions, thoughts, or feelings of others.

When clients mention feeling stuck, frustrated, hurt, or angered because of others’ judgments, choices, behaviors, or lack of support, I often guide them toward this principle. Radical acceptance is the ultimate permission slip to “Do you, boo.” It’s about stepping into your power by embracing the truth that:

You are not responsible for others’ reactions.
You can set boundaries without guilt.
You don’t need approval to make choices that align with your values.

How to Practice Radical Acceptance
If you’re ready to embrace “doing you” in the new year, here are some strategies to practice radical acceptance:

Name What You Cannot Control
Make a list of the things you can’t change, such as other people’s opinions, past mistakes, or external challenges. Say to yourself, “I accept that I cannot control this.” Notice how it feels to let go of the struggle.

Lean Into Your “Why”
Why are you making this change? Why does it matter to you? A clear connection to your values can keep you focused, even when the noise of others’ opinions grows loud.

Use Grounding Mantras
Remind yourself:

“I am in charge of my own happiness.”
“It’s not my job to make everyone understand me.”
“I am enough as I am.”

Set Boundaries with Compassion
Practicing radical acceptance doesn’t mean cutting everyone off. Instead, it means lovingly setting limits that protect your time and energy. You can say, “I respect your opinion, but I need to make this decision for myself.”

Give Yourself Permission to Grow
Change can feel lonely at times, but remember that personal growth isn’t a group project. It’s okay to lose people who don’t align with your journey. Your worth isn’t tied to their approval.

The new year is an opportunity to embrace transformation. But that transformation doesn’t require the world to cheer you on—it only requires you.

So What About You?
Radical acceptance is a deeply personal journey, but it’s also one that can inspire and connect us. Have you had moments where you’ve embraced this mindset? Maybe it helped you let go of others’ opinions, set boundaries, or focus on a goal that truly mattered to you.

I’d love to hear your story. How has practicing radical acceptance shaped your life? Share your experiences in the comments or pass this post along to someone who might need a reminder to “do you, boo.” Together, we can encourage one another to let go of what’s beyond our control and embrace the freedom to live authentically—one intentional step at a time.

As you step into this season of change, remember: Do you, boo. And if someone doesn’t understand? Let them. You’ve got this.