Learn the art of standing up for yourself as a skill with Meri Sehat. Explore techniques, tips, and strategies for asserting your boundaries confidently.

How To Stand Up For Yourself - It's A Skill That Can Be Developed

Setting boundaries is like building a fence around your sanity.

Overview

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were being attacked but instead of defending yourself you either go mute or recede back into your cocoon? If this is you, you may lack the very essential life skill of standing up for yourself. We call it an &lsquo;essential&rsquo; skill because it can help you build confidence, establish boundaries and communicate your needs effectively. This will come in handy not just in your interpersonal relationship but your professional life as well. However, we wholeheartedly agree that it&rsquo;s not always as easy as its made out to be and many people struggle with this task. Fortunately, like any other skill, the ability to stand up for yourself can be developed and honed with practice. Here are some steps you can take:&nbsp;

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Standing up for yourself

<ul>
	<li>Know your worth &ndash; One of the most important things you can do to stand up for yourself is to know your worth. This means recognizing your strengths, values and capabilities. When you have a strong sense of self-worth, you are less likely to tolerate mistreatment or disrespect from others. To develop a stronger sense of self-worth, focus on your accomplishments, take care of yourself and surround yourself with positive people who lift you up.</li>
	<li>Set clear boundaries &ndash; Another critical aspect of standing up for yourself is setting clear boundaries. This means defining what you will and will not tolerate from others and communicating those boundaries assertively. For example, if a friend is constantly canceling plans last minute, you might say, &quot;I understand that things come up, but I need you to let me know at least 24 hours in advance if you can&#39;t make it.&quot;</li>
	<li>Use assertive communication &ndash; Assertive<a href="https://merisehat.pk/article/the-importance-of-communication-in-sexual-relationships"> communication</a> is a style of communication that allows you to express your thoughts, feelings and needs in a clear, direct and respectful way. This is an essential tool for standing up for yourself because it allows you to communicate your boundaries and expectations effectively. When using assertive communication, make &quot;I&quot; statements, avoid blaming or attacking the other person and be specific about what you want or need.</li>
	<li>Practice self-care &ndash; Taking care of yourself is crucial for standing up for yourself because it helps you maintain your energy, resilience and emotional well-being. Self-care can take many forms, such as exercise, meditation, hobbies or spending time with loved ones. When you prioritize self-care, you are better equipped to handle challenging situations and communicate your needs effectively.</li>
	<li>Seek support &ndash; Standing up for yourself can be challenging and it&#39;s okay to ask for help. Reach out to trusted friends, family members or professionals for support and guidance. They can provide you with valuable feedback, perspective, and encouragement as you work to develop your assertiveness skills. They can also help you practice your skills in a safe environment before you go out into the wild to apply them.&nbsp; 
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Conclusion

Even though it may sound like a tough task and leave you with knots in your stomach, standing up for yourself is a skill that can be developed with practice and effort. Once you realize how much better your life gets when you start setting clear boundaries and safeguarding your personal space you will automatically become better at it as well! The payback is worth the grueling practice of this very important skill. Remember that it takes time and effort to develop any skill, and it&rsquo;s especially true for interpersonal skills as they come with many psychological blocks that we must overcome so be patient and kind to yourself along the way.

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