Acceptance Definition: the decision to not put energy into changing something

Synonyms: feeling, emotion, spirit

Added context from Hanna & Lizzie:

When someone chooses not to put energyinto deconstructing a norm, then we can say that person has, for that time, accepted it. The relevant example for this work is that folks who have never put energy into deconstructing monogamy as the norm have simply accepted that relationship structure. Related words are assumption, belief, and trust, which all roughly refer to accepting something to be true. Acceptance can be temporary. You can accept something in the current moment and intend to put energy into changing it later.

If someone is projecting negative energy or shame toward something, then they have not accepted it. Thus, if someone is directing negative energy toward someone’s life choices, such as nonmonogamy, then you have not truly accepted them. People can even direct negativity toward themselves, which we call insecurities. When someone is not directing negativity toward a choice they have made or a part of themselves, they have accepted it and call that security.

Acceptance is typically viewed as fairly passive, but we use the word here as an active decision. While not putting energy into changing something is passive, the choice to not put energy toward something is active. We encourage people to take ownership of the things they have chosen to accept.