Thanks for this. Although I have often found it difficult to accept myself, I would now say (complicatedly) that one of the first things I have to accept is that I do not accept myself as I am. I attempt to find some kindness, humor - and admiration for the effort I and other strivers put in to getting better.

The only thing I would add is that breaking needed improvements down into tiny steps (as in Stephen Guise's MINIHABITS) has helped keep me sane.

So again, I appreciate the balance and care in what you have written.