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Standing up for yourself can be hard to do. There are many reasons you may be struggling to stand up for yourself or your wants. Putting yourself and your needs first is probably a foreign concept you have not exercised too often.
Learning that it is perfectly okay to stand up for yourself and what you want takes time and effort. That effort will be completely worth it, however. Here are a few tips to get you started on your process of self-discovery and learning to stand up for yourself.
Develop Resiliency
Being resilient – having the ability to recover quickly from setbacks or disappointments – can be a powerful tool to have. Not everyone needs to agree with you. You do not need to be doing what everyone else is doing or thinking how everyone else is thinking. When you have developed resilience, you will be able to bounce back from these situations. Learning to stand on your own is important. Put your mental health first, and do what is best for you.
Foster Assertiveness
Being assertive can be challenging, depending on who you are speaking with and the situation you are in. If you are struggling with being assertive with a particular person, it may be beneficial to look more closely into that relationship. Where does that fear or discomfort come from? You may find you can be more assertive if you first work through what is not working in that relationship.
Acknowledge Feelings
Try always to be aware of what you are feeling and experiencing. What emotions do you feel when you struggle to stand up for yourself or say what you want in a situation? When we can label what we are feeling, we can begin to explore the root of the emotion and work through the situation in a more productive manner.
Set Goals
Set goals for yourself. You will not change your thought processes or learn to speak up for yourself overnight. Everything takes time. If you break your larger goals down into smaller steps, achieving your goals will be easier. Many people who are learning to stand up for themselves find this to be a good approach.
Learning to speak up for yourself is an important skill. Everyone needs to be able to identify and ask for what they need and want throughout life. Acknowledge your feelings during moments when it is hard to speak up. Work on your assertiveness and resiliency. Here at The Guest House, we know it can be challenging to stand up for yourself. We are to help you better understand issues like this and achieve the life you want. Call us today at (855) 483-7800 to learn about our treatment options.