Practicing Radical Acceptance

Accepting the “unacceptable” is one of the most difficult psychological tasks a person can face.1 Whether in personal life or in the broader political landscape, the process of acceptance is often misunderstood as approval or resignation.2 In reality, it is a tool of psychological survival and strategic clarity.+1

In the context of the current political environment, accepting a reality you find deeply negative—such as the presidency and influence of Donald Trump—requires a shift from emotional resistance to radical acceptance.

1. Defining Acceptance vs. Approval

The first step is to dismantle the myth that acceptance equals liking or agreeing.

  • What it isn’t: It is not “giving up,” nor is it an endorsement of the policies or behaviors you find harmful.
  • What it is: It is the simple acknowledgment of what is.When we refuse to accept a fact (e.g., “This person is the president”), we are essentially arguing with reality. This creates a state of “secondary suffering”—the pain of the event itself is compounded by the exhaustion of trying to wish it out of existence.

2. Practicing Radical Acceptance

Radical acceptance is a cornerstone of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).3 It suggests that when you cannot change a situation, the only way to avoid total despair is to accept it completely.4+1

  • Acknowledge the Facts: State the reality without judgment. “Donald Trump is the President of the United States.” By stripping away the “shoulds” (“This shouldn’t be happening”), you stop leaking energy into a battle that has already been decided.
  • Locate the Resistance: Notice where your body feels the “no.” Is it a tightness in the chest or a loop of angry thoughts? Labeling this as “resistance” allows you to observe it rather than be consumed by it.
  • “It is what it is”: Use this phrase not as a sign of defeat, but as a statement of current fact. It allows you to move from the past (how we got here) to the present (what do I do now?).

3. Cognitive Defusion

Negativity often stems from being “fused” with your thoughts—believing that every terrifying headline or negative prediction is an immediate, unchangeable reality.

  • Label your thoughts: Instead of saying “The country is ruined,” try “I am having the thought that the country is ruined.” This small linguistic shift creates a buffer between your identity and the political chaos.
  • The 24-Hour Rule: Political news cycles thrive on outrage. Accepting the unacceptable means choosing which fires to tend. If a piece of news doesn’t require your immediate action, practice “letting it be” for 24 hours before engaging with it emotionally.

4. Reclaiming Agency

Acceptance is the prerequisite for effective action. If you are stuck in a cycle of “unacceptable” outrage, your ability to make a difference is paralyzed by burnout.

  • Differentiate Facts from Problems: A fact is something you cannot change (the election result).5 A problem is something you can influence (local community support, advocacy, or personal well-being).
  • Focus on the Local: When the national level feels like a source of pure negativity, shift your focus to your immediate “circle of influence.” Supporting a local charity or being a good neighbor provides the “small wins” necessary to maintain mental health.6

5. Protecting Your Peace

Accepting the unacceptable requires strict boundaries. You do not owe your constant attention to things that cause you distress without providing a path to resolution.

  • Digital Detox: Limit news intake to specific times.7
  • Relationship Boundaries: If political discussion with certain people triggers your “unacceptable” alarm, it is an act of self-care to set a boundary: “I value our relationship more than this debate, so let’s talk about something else.”

Conclusion

To accept the unacceptable is to choose sanity over struggle. By acknowledging the reality of the political landscape, you don’t lose your values; you simply stop the “internal war” that drains your ability to live a meaningful life. Acceptance is not the end of the journey—it is the stable ground upon which you can begin to build a future, regardless of who is in power.