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We’ve all done it—stayed silent instead of speaking up, whether it’s at work, in our relationships, or even among our friends. We let things slide because we prefer to keep the peace and avoid making a fuss. But what if, in doing so, we’re actually giving away our power?

We let one or two things go, and suddenly we find that our opinions are being dismissed and ourneedsare being ignored. Instead of feeling respected and valued, we feel like we’rebeing usedortaken for granted.

This can happen when we don’t stand up for ourselves. It’s important that we advocate for our needs and wants, to ensure that our voice is acknowledged and our boundaries are respected, saysHeather Hagen, MS, LMFT, Executive Director of Clinical Outpatient Services at Newport Healthcare.

In this article, we explore the importance of self-advocacy and ask the experts for some strategies to help us build ourconfidenceand stand up for ourselves.

At a GlanceTired of people walking all over you? It’s important to draw the line and speak up for yourself, because if you don’t, no one else will. We know it’s scary, but it’s time to muster your courage and confidence. We promise it will be worth it when you gain the respect you deserve.

At a Glance

Tired of people walking all over you? It’s important to draw the line and speak up for yourself, because if you don’t, no one else will. We know it’s scary, but it’s time to muster your courage and confidence. We promise it will be worth it when you gain the respect you deserve.

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Understanding the Importance of Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy is important for several reasons:

Research shows us that disenfranchised populations like women, minorities, and people with physical or mental health conditions may be more likely to experience mistreatment and are often less likely to self-advocate.

Building Self-Confidence

We know that speaking up for yourself isn’t easy! Building the confidence to stand up for yourself is a crucial step toward personal empowerment and assertiveness, says Cruz. Self-confidence empowers you to express your needs, opinions, and boundaries without fearing rejection or conflict, Hagen adds.

Not standing up for ourselves allows people to take advantage of our passivity or disregard our boundaries.—HEATHER HAGEN, MS, LMFT

Not standing up for ourselves allows people to take advantage of our passivity or disregard our boundaries.

—HEATHER HAGEN, MS, LMFT

Here are some strategies that can help you build your confidence so you can self-advocate:

Self-confidence empowers you to express your needs, opinions, and boundaries without fearing rejection or conflict.—HEATHER HAGEN, MS, LMFT

Self-confidence empowers you to express your needs, opinions, and boundaries without fearing rejection or conflict.

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Setting Boundaries in Relationships

Setting healthyboundariesis another important aspect of standing up for yourself. It is an act ofself-lovethat requires self-awareness, clear communication, and courage, because it often means not meeting others' expectations, says Cruz.

Here are some strategies that can help you set healthy boundaries in your relationships:

Setting boundaries is an act of self-love that requires self-awareness, clear communication, and courage, because it often means not meeting others' expectations.—TATIANA RIVERA CRUZ, MSW, LCSW

Setting boundaries is an act of self-love that requires self-awareness, clear communication, and courage, because it often means not meeting others' expectations.

—TATIANA RIVERA CRUZ, MSW, LCSW

Overcoming Fear and Anxiety

Standing up for yourself can be daunting, especially when your fear is holding you back. Here are some strategies that can help you overcome your anxieties:

Handling Conflicts and Difficult Situations

Self-advocacy can sometimes lead toconflictsor difficult situations, particularly if people aren’t used to the idea of you standing up for yourself.

Here are some strategies to help you navigate these situations:

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Keep in Mind

Standing up for yourself isn’t always easy, but it’s important in order to ensure you aren’t ignored, used, or worsemistreated. By practicing self-advocacy and setting clear boundaries, you can take control of your life and ensure that your needs are met. It’s about valuing yourself enough to say, “I matter,” and making sure others recognize that too. It’s time to take your power back and make your voice heard!

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5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Hagan TL, Medberry E.Patient education vs. patient experiences of self-advocacy: Changing the discourse to support cancer survivors.J Cancer Educ. 2016 Jun;31(2):375-81. doi:10.1007/s13187-015-0828-x

Hutchens J, Frawley J, Sullivan EA.Is self-advocacy universally achievable for patients? The experiences of Australian women with cardiac disease in pregnancy and postpartum.Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2023 Dec;18(1):2182953. doi:10.1080/17482631.2023.2182953

Blankert T, Hamstra MR.Imagining success: Multiple achievement goals and the effectiveness of imagery.Basic Appl Soc Psych. 2017 Jan 2;39(1):60-67. doi:10.1080/01973533.2016.1255947

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library & Museum.Eleanor Roosevelt.

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