That's a good question, Angelgirl, one which requires a slightly lengthy response.

I suppose by unconditional self-acceptance I mean I try to accept myself, warts and all. Before I started CBT therapy, I was somewhat of a perfectionist, I put many SHOULD and OUGHT TOS on myself and others. When I couldn't live up to the SHOULDS (i.e. I should succeed always at work, everyone should like me, life should be fair at all times) I was miserable. I hated myself for not living up to all of my irrational demands.

Now that I can dispute all of my shoulds, I can concentrate on accepting my humanity. I can accept I am not perfect. I can even accept other people's cruelty.

I suppose once I stopped trying to like myself so much, and started concentrating on accepting myself for who I am (ie it's not AWFUL that I don't make $50K a year, it's not AWFUL that I'm not constantly the life of the party), I really felt free.

Once I began to work on unconditionally accepting myself (ie separate me as a person from my actions), I found I had a lot more self-respect.

I'm sure this sounds hazy, does it? It's still early!