Hey fabulous friends! 💖 Today, let’s talk about how to speak up for yourself after a lifetime of feeling like your authentic voice has been on mute. It’s time to break free from the shackles of silence and embrace the vibrant symphony that is YOU! 🎤✨

Speaking up for yourself is one of thee MOST critical aspects of personal empowerment and emotional well-being. It is the very definition of speaking one’s thoughts, feelings, and needs, asserting individuality and boundaries in multiple areas of life.

By you voicing your concerns, desires, and opinions, you can lay down the stepping stone for a sense of self-respect and self-worth.

This act of self-advocacy not only contributes to the development of building confidence and resilience but it also helps you build healthy relationships.

Sign me up, please!

It allows you to navigate challenges, address wrongdoings gracefully, and pursue your goals with purpose and authenticity.

Ultimately, speaking up for yourself is an essential tool that you MUST have on hand for personal growth, fostering a deeper understanding of your identity and fostering a life aligned with your values and aspirations.

So, let’s get started. 

Maybe in your childhood, you have been told that it is not okay to cry. Maybe you were punished for being angry, upset, or for even just speaking your opinion. And it is a very super common thing in strict households. But, either way, your childhood is rooted in many of the behaviors that you experience today.

Now it is up to you to change your circumstances.

Ever felt like your emotions were playing a game of hide and seek? You’re not alone! Studies show that individuals who were taught that their feelings don’t matter may struggle with expressing themselves. But fear not, this just means that you have not fully developed your self-awareness skills yet.

And, since self awareness is a skill, that just means that you will need consistent practice so that you can help your voice take center stage!

With this being said, make the time to learn more about the different intensity levels of your feelings so you know when you should speak up for yourself.

When you know the intensity levels of your emotions, you will get more in touch with whether or not a situation can be pushed to the side or if it should be addressed straight on.

Speaking up can feel like you are at a dance party where the beat is unfamiliar, and the moves are a bit awkward. But, so what? Embrace it one step at a time. And also, learning your ideal coping techniques can also make this part easier.

So, in order to step into the world of self-expression, you gotta start somewhere. And practice will get you there to the point where you can embrace the uncomfortable feelings of assertiveness like second nature.

Boundaries are essential limits that people make to define their emotional, physical, and relational space. These limits act as your own personal self-protection, preserving your well-being and helping maintain your sense of personal identity.

Boundaries help you understand what is considered acceptable behavior, both from yourself and from other people. This fosters healthy relationships and communication.

By setting clear boundaries, you can establish a balance between compassion for others and self-respect, creating a framework for mutual understanding and respect in ALL areas of your life.

Instead of pointing fingers and using aggressive communication or using passive communication by letting things slide, express your emotions by using assertive communication. This happens by using “I feel” statements.

“I feel” statements allow you to abide by your boundaries like LAW. It also allows you to address your needs without having to attack anyone’s personal character.

Once a person feels like they are being attacked, then the message can start to get muddy, they go on defensive mode and then they miss the main point of your message. 

You might then start to see them retaliate in return. More hateful comments, more blaming, more tone changes and then absolutely NOTHING gets resolved. 

Talk about a recipe for disaster.

For example, “I feel upset and disrespected that you didnt take out the trash after I asked you to.” Also, did you know? This is backed up by science! Studies suggest that using “I feel” statements fosters better communication and understanding.

Craft a mantra that reminds you of your worth and power. In order for mantras to really work, they have to be aligned with you so that it is easy for you to believe it. Then, when the time comes, that is when you want to blast it in your mind when self-doubt about speaking up for yourself creeps in.

This also goes hand in hand with manifesting so even more bonus points!

I once had a client tell me how powerful power poses were. It gave my client the confidence to say what they wanted to say without fear. At first, it may feel silly but just try standing tall in the mirror, shoulders back while envisioning yourself as your ideal self.

Studies reveal that striking a power pose for just two minutes can increase confidence and decrease stress. It’s like a mini-confidence workout!

Whether you conquer a fear or simply speak your truth, celebrate it! Again, the Spiritual Personal Development group is GREAT for this! Because I guarantee you, you will look back and think “WOW, I did that, and I used to not be able to do that. I am proud of myself.”.

And plus, acknowledging small victories releases dopamine, the feel-good hormone, so why not?

So there you have it – a guide to finding your voice after a lifetime of being told to hide your emotions.

🎶💃💖 What are some other things that you have found helpful for finding your voice? Comment below.