It’s Women’s History Month, and our theme this month is about taking up space. Thankfully, many women have paved the way to help us take up more space, where we can be seen and heard, but we can still do more for ourselves, and for our overall well-being. Taking up space means acknowledging your existence in the world and allowing yourself to be seen. It’s also about having enough self-awareness and confidence to recognize your worth and value—and communicating that value with those around you through your words, actions, and presence. Here’s how you can start taking up your space today.
Start Saying No
It’s easy to let other people control our time and energy by agreeing to do things we don’t actually want or need to do. This can leave us feeling drained and resentful at times, so it’s important that we learn how to say no without feeling guilty or ashamed of ourselves. Start by saying no when it comes down to little requests, such as agreeing to meet someone after work even though you just want some alone time. As you become more comfortable with saying no, you’ll start feeling more confident in standing up for yourself in bigger scenarios too! Try this sentence when saying No, while still being kind:
”Thank you for your request, but I’m afraid that won’t be possible for me.” Or
”I appreciate your request, thanks for the consideration. Unfortunately, I need to decline, I would hate to overcommit and not deliver.”
Speak Up for Yourself
We all have things we want to say but sometimes don’t feel comfortable voicing our opinion or expressing our needs. Learning to speak up for yourself is an important part of taking up space because it allows others to see that you have something valuable to contribute to any conversation. Start by making sure you’re heard in small conversations, like when someone asks for your opinion or doesn’t understand what you’re trying to communicate. You’ll eventually gain the confidence needed to speak out louder in larger settings, such as meetings or group discussions. When expressing a concern try to offer a solution or an alternative, but you can still be assertive by sticking to the facts. This can help move the conversation forward.
Take Some Time for Yourself
Taking care of yourself is one of the best ways to take up space because it gives you an opportunity to reflect on who you are, where you’ve been, and where you’d like to go next–-all without any external influences getting in the way! Saying no like the above can really help you make room for taking time for yourself. Make sure each day includes some time for self-care; this could mean anything from reading a book before bed to going on a long walk around town during your lunch break! Additionally, make sure that at least once a week (ideally more!) is dedicated solely to yourself–- free from distractions and obligations. This will help keep your mind clear and focused on what YOU need instead of what others expect from us!
So if you’re looking for ways to reclaim your power today, let yourself be seen and heard starting now! I promise that it will be worth it!
Let me know your stories. Comment down below and tell me how you can take up space today!
XOXO,
Tash