Self-Advocacy: 3 Simple Ways to Develop & Use it

You’re probably familiar with the term “self-care,” but how familiar are you with “self-advocacy?” Just like self-care, self-advocacy is all about taking care of yourself—but it’s also about speaking up for yourself, too.

In a world where we’re constantly being pulled in a million different directions, it’s more important than ever to be our own best advocates. Keep reading to learn more about self-advocacy and three simple ways you can start developing and using it in your own life today.

What is Self-Advocacy?

Self-advocacy is essentially the act of taking control of your own life and advocating for your own needs—both personal and professional. When you’re a self-advocate, you’re able to identify what you want and need, communicate those things to others, and stand up for yourself when necessary.

Being a self-advocate doesn’t mean you’re selfish or entitled; it just means that you know how to put yourself first when necessary (something we could all stand to learn how to do!). 

Why is Self-Advocacy Important?

In our fast-paced, constantly-connected world, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle and end up feeling invisible or unimportant. Advocating for yourself is your responsibility because If YOU don’t advocate for you then chances are no one else will, either. This is sometimes a hard truth to accept. Learning how to self-advocate can help you feel more confident and in control of your life, both professionally and personally.

Knowing how to self-advocate can also help reduce stress and anxiety, since you’ll know that you have the power to make things happen for yourself instead of feeling like you’re at the mercy of others.

How to Develop & Use Self-Advocacy Skills

1. Know Your Worth:

The first step to being a successful self-advocate is knowing your worth. This means understanding that you are just as deserving of respect, love, and opportunities as anyone else—regardless of your gender, race, socio-economic status, etc. When you know your worth, it becomes much easier to ask for what you deserve both personally and professionally. 

If you find yourself frequently doubting your worth you may be experiencing imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is defined as “a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success.” In other words, it’s that little voice in your head that tells you’re not good enough, no matter how much evidence you have to the contrary.

If you think you may be suffering from imposter syndrome, there are a few things you can do to start changing the way you think about yourself. First, try making a list of your accomplishments, big and small. This can help remind you of all the amazing things you’ve done—and that you are capable of doing more. Second, cut yourself some slack! We all make mistakes; it’s part of being human. Learning to accept and even embrace your mistakes can help you feel more confident and capable.

2. Communicate Openly & Honestly:

Another key component of self-advocacy is being able to communicate openly and honestly with others—without feeling guilty or ashamed. This means being direct when communicating your needs and wants, but also listening openly to others without getting defensive. If you find yourself getting defensive or feeling guilty when communicating with others, take a step back and try to see things from their perspective—you may be surprised at how helpful this can be! 

3. Be Assertive:

One of the most difficult aspects of self-advocacy is learning how to be assertive without coming across as aggressive. Assertiveness simply means standing up for yourself in a confident, respectful way—not putting down or belittling others in the process. The next time you find yourself in a situation where you need to advocate for yourself, try using “I” statements (e.g., “I feel like my needs are not being met”) instead of accusatory statements (“You never listen to me!”). This small shift can make a big difference in how your request is received by others. 

Conclusion

Self-advocacy is an essential skill that every woman should develop and use in her day-to-day life—both personal and professional. By taking the time to learn more about self-advocacy and how to use it effectively, you’ll be setting yourself up for success both now and in the future. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start advocating for yourself!