Though September is Self Improvement Month, I am inclined to agree with author, creativity coach, artist, and general inspiration Jill Badonsky in that rather than improving ourselves, we should be accepting ourselves as we are. Imagine how much happier we’d be—and how much nicer we’d be to others, too—if we just took the time to love ourselves as we are. Once I was writing for a self-improvement coach’s website and I remarked, “There are so many people with their guides and plans out there to help you improve yourself—just how awful are we all that we need so much improvement?” I laughed, but she did not, naturally.

So during self-improvement month, let’s take a break from the self-help stuff (even though it can certainly be fun to do, especially if it involves art therapy) and instead try some of these activities:

Say “I love you” to ourselves in the mirror every day. Wake up and, as SARK recommends, give ourselves a gigantic hug every morning.

Write down all of the things in our lives that we are grateful for. Start with a list of 100. Add another 5-10 things every day.

Give the parts of ourselves we don’t like much some extra attention. Hate your thighs? Rub them with some oil and think about all of the gifts they give you, how you wouldn’t be able to walk without them, how they helped you birth your amazing child… Think you’re not bright enough? Spend some time saying thanks for the brain you have that works, that allows you to speak, to think, to remember.

Be gentle on ourselves. Rather than belittling ourselves for not meeting our goals, failing to be the best, or simply not being all we thought we could be, let’s instead acknowledge what we have done and move on. Affirm how well you did on the test—even though it wasn’t an A, you did your very best and you know you worked hard.

Engage in fun self-improvement. If you really want to do something this month that goes along with the theme, make it fun and just for you—like a new hobby, workout routine that you actually enjoy, or a cooking class. Don’t do these things because you think you should—in fact, eliminate the word “should” from your vocabulary, at least for the month!—but because they are things you actually want to do and would give you something more to look forward to in your everyday life.