You know, standing up for people can feel like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without an instruction manual. Like, do I use the Allen wrench here? Or will this just make the whole thing fall apart? It’s that weird mix of not being entirely sure what you’re doing, but knowing you should be doing something. And hey, sometimes we second-guess ourselves. I mean, who hasn’t sat there thinking, “Wait, do I even know what I’m talking about? Is this really the moment to speak up?” Spoiler alert: yes, it usually is.
I get it, there’s that hesitation. That little voice in your head that’s like, “But what if I make things worse?” or “Do I even have the right to say something?” That voice is persistent. It’s like an annoying pop-up ad for imposter syndrome. You don’t want to overstep. Maybe you don’t know every detail of what someone’s going through. Maybe you’re afraid you’ll say the wrong thing. And guess what? You might. But you know what’s worse? Doing nothing. Because staying silent just perpetuates the problem. It’s like deciding not to use your umbrella when it’s pouring outside because you’re not sure if you’re holding it the right way. You might get wet, but at least you’re trying!
Look, standing up for someone isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. Showing up. Being that person who says, “Hey, this isn’t okay,” even when it feels uncomfortable or awkward. Because sometimes it will feel uncomfortable or awkward. Sometimes you’ll stumble over your words or wonder if you’re just making a scene. But often, your voice might be the one thing that shows someone they’re not alone. And honestly? That’s worth the awkwardness.
It’s not about swooping in with all the answers like you’re some kind of superhero, let’s be real, capes are a tripping hazard. It’s about being willing to learn, being willing to listen, and being willing to stand up when others won’t. And sure, some people might look at you funny, or roll their eyes, or tell you you’re overreacting. But that’s usually how you know you’re on the right track, isn’t it?
At the end of the day, the question you have to ask yourself is this: If you’re not standing up for those who need it most, who are you standing up for? Because the uncomfortable truth is that silence, even well-intentioned, can easily be mistaken for agreement. And if you’re okay with that, cool. But if that makes you squirm a bit? Maybe it’s time to speak up, even if you’re not sure you’re saying it perfectly.
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