Recently, I have undergone an experience with someone who is supposed to mentor me and encourage me to follow my dreams. This person, for the past few months, has been saying hurtful things, breaking apart my self-esteem, and overall, being a cruel person. I was scared to say something to someone about the situation because I was worried about any negative consequences that it would have on me and those around me. However, things went too far one day and my emotions were pushed to the breaking point.
I felt alone and I knew I had to stand up for myself. No matter how trying this event was, I learned many valuable lessons about standing up for yourself and how it can change your entire outlook. I hadn’t realized how unhappy I was and how it was affecting my work and personal life. Now, I have never been happier that I made a tough decision to speak up and take care of me. Standing up for yourself is an important life skill that we all need to master, so here’s how!
Standing up for yourself is something that you will dread, but once you’ve done it – everything gets better!
No matter what it is that you are enduring, going for help and standing up for yourself is going to be difficult. I tried to handle it myself for a very long time, and just ‘tough it out’, but that’s not a long-term solution. You may be worried that people will think lowly of you for ‘telling’ or that you’re weak, but trust me, they will be proud of you and amazed that you are so mature and strong. Personally, I did not expect the support and respect I earned from those above me as well as peers. Of course, there are a few people who think I should’ve just dealt with it, but I know better now than to listen to them.
Sometimes, standing up for yourself is the only way to get out of a bad situation.
As much as you want to handle it yourself, not be a bother, deal with it, or hope that it will go away on its own, realistically, it will not. Bullies don’t get tired of bullying, and, as the saying goes, haters don’t get tired of hating.
The only person who is tired and hurt is you, and the longer you deal with whatever the situation may be, the longer you have to deal with the negative impact it has on you. Standing up for yourself allows you to focus on working hard, being successful, and most of all, being happy. It will free up space in your brain, previously devoted to worry, anxiety, and hurt, for better things, like the ability to focus on your career and personal life.
Standing up for yourself will positively every aspect of your overall wellness.
While most people only think of physical health, like diet and exercise, wellness is composed of 5 main parts. Physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual wellness all work together to compose how well you are and how happy and successful you can become. Overall, standing up for yourself is a skill that everyone, especially career girls, needs to master in order to be happy.
Don’t let a situation, or person, weigh down on you and destroy any shred of your self-esteem, happiness or wellbeing. Stand up for yourself, even though it is hard, and you will instantly be a better, stronger, and happier person for it.
Featured Photo: Lovely Pepa