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Self-esteem asks us to live up to labels. We are not fixed traits, so these labels limit us.

Self-acceptance asks us to accept who we are. Self-compassion asks us to be kind to ourselves after mistakes.

The goal is not to be exceptional. It is to live our values while embracing our humanity.

For decades, many of us were told that the path to happiness was simple: work on your self-esteem. If you were struggling with confidence, learn to believe in yourself. If you couldn't reach your goals, use affirmations to visualize them into your life.

We kept trying to give ourselves labels like "I am generous," "I am interesting," and "I am beautiful." These permanent identities became impossible goals to live by in every circumstance. When in reality, humans are complicated. We are inconsistent. We can be confident in one situation and uncertain in another. We can be generous one day and impatient the next.

Constantly trying to feel good about yourself actually became the problem. The internal cognitive dissonance struggle of which reality is true settled........

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