All too often, women are silenced. It happens in all sorts of ways. We're told to calm down, to relax, to stop getting so worked up. People tell us to stop being hysterical or histrionic. We're flat out told to sit down and shut up, that our opinions don't matter, that our experiences are lies, and that we should be grateful for what we have. I say that's a load of horse shit, if you'll pardon my French. There are feelings that should never be silenced. There are things we need to say out loud. Sometimes, we need to shout.
1 You Should Always Speak up about Being Disrespected
No one deserves to be disrespected. Absolutely no one. You don't deserve to be silenced when you're disrespected, either. This is one feeling you should always say out loud. Make sure people know about it. Don't let them hide from it. The person disrespecting you needs to know, too.
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2 Let People Know when They're Making You Uncomfortable
No one should be making you feel uncomfortable. You should never feel that way. Don't let people make you feel uncomfortable as if they have that right. If someone is sitting too close, invading your personal space, or saying things that make you uneasy, speak up and say something.
3 When Your Answer is “no,” Say It as Many Times as You Have to
No. No. No. Scream it at the top of your lungs if someone isn't listening. No means no means no. You have the right to say no, and that decision should be respected. Never let anyone force you into something you're not comfortable with. That's not right and no one should get away with it.
4 Tell Others when You Feel Scared
It doesn't matter why you feel scared. If you're scared of the dark, scared of your date, or scared to walk home alone, say something. If you need to leave or stop what you're doing, that's okay, too. You don't have to do anything that scares you. You don't have to be anywhere that makes you feel afraid.
5 Talk about Your Feelings of Depression or Hopelessness
It is essential to talk about these feelings. Find someone, no matter who it is. Even if you have to call and talk to a stranger, do not try to swallow these feelings. Don't keep them to yourself. Tell someone. Try to speak.
6 Speak up when You're Feeling Sexually Harassed
You don't deserve to be sexually harassed -- no one does. No one has the right to make you feel that way, either. Not your boss, your teacher, your friend, a stranger -- no one. Say how you feel. Say it right out loud. Keep saying it as many times as you need to just to make sure you're heard.
7 Always Shout Your Love Loud and Proud
Don't be ashamed of who you love. Love is everything and there's never enough of it to go around. Don't hide your love. Don't silence it. Don't let anyone make you feel bad or wrong about it because you're not. Most importantly, speak up and tell the people you love what they really mean to you.
8 Speak about Your Pain to MAke It Hurt Less
Studies show that when you express your pain, whether it's something someone said or just something you feel about your life, you actually can make it hurt less. Getting those negative thoughts out allow for more room for positivity to enter your mind and life.
9 Speak out to Understand
Sometimes we have feelings not even we can understand; but if you open up to someone and let those feelings out, they may be able to help you process them and help you to understand what you're feeling and why.
10 Speak Your Feelings for Happiness
Keeping your feelings repressed will eventually lead to depression. Repression is horrible for your mental well-being, and by not sharing whatever negativity you're feeling, you will turn to an unhappy lifestyle to cope with those hidden feelings. This is not okay.
Has anyone ever silenced you? No one's doing it now. Say what you need to say, even if you simply need to get it off your chest.
