Standing up for yourself is hard. When others disrespect you it’s hard to have to confidence to speak up and say how you feel. But hopefully these tips and resources will make it a bit easier.

You deserve to be heard. When people aren’t treating us right it is easy to keep quiet about it – we don’t want to ruin a friendship or a relationship, so we don’t say anything. The first thing you must realise is that your thoughts and feelings deserve to be heard. You deserve respect.

Don’t act just yet. You have been there – your angry or upset and say something you regret later. So, before you stand up for yourself think about how someone else would see the situation. Maybe they don't know they are hurting you. Think about the emotions you are experiencing, even write them down. The point is to give yourself time so that when you do stand up for yourself, you do it in the best way possible – cool, calm and considerate.

Don’t be too nasty, but don’t be too nice. Don’t personally attack the other person. In other words, don’t be awful and mean – don’t say things like “You are literally the worst person to ever be born” (unless that’s true). At the same time, don’t be too nice. Let them know their actions – intentional or not – are making you feel horrible. They should how you feel, and what they are doing to you is unacceptable.

Practice beforehand. Standing up to someone is scary. You might want to practice what you are going to say before you do it. Write your ideas down, practice front of the mirror, do whatever works for you. Feeling prepared will give you that much more confidence for when the big day comes.

Remember, you deserve to be heard.