Personal Bill of Rights

Your own Bill of Rights

This post is not meant to diagnose, treat, or save you from mental illness, if you or someone you love is in danger, please get help. You can text HOME to 741741 to be connected with a crisis counselor. I personally have. You can also call or text 988 for suicide and crisis help.
http://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts

1. I have the right to ask for what I want.
2. I have the right to say no to requests and demands I cannot meet.
3. I have the right to express all of my feelings, positive or negative.
4. I have the right to change my mind.
5. I have the right to make mistakes and not have to be perfect.
6. I have the right to follow my own values and standards.
7. I have the right to say no to anything.
8. I have the right to determine my own priorities.
9. I have the right not to be responsible for others’ behaviors, actions, feelings, or problems.
10. I have the right to expect honesty from others.
11. I have the right to be angry at someone I love.
12. I have the right to be uniquely myself.
13. I have the right to say, “I am scared” and to feel afraid.
14. I have the right to say , “I don’t know”.
15. I have the right to not give excuses or reasons for my behavior.
16. I have the right to make decisions based on my feelings.
17. I have the right to my own personal space and time.
18. I have the right to be playful and frivolous.
19. I have the right to be healthier than those around me.
20. I have the right to be in a non-abusive environment.
21. I have the right to make friends and be comfortable around people.
22. I have the right to change and grow.
23. I have the right to have my needs and wants respected by others.
24. I have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
25. I have the right to be happy.

These are the rights we all have as humans. Some of them may seem silly to you and that’s okay, they’re not always clear to everyone. So the next time you doubt yourself remember that you have rights. You are important. It is okay to say no and it is okay to take care of yourself. Putting yourself first does not make you selfish. You have to take care of you before you can give back and take care of others. You do not have to feel bad for taking time for yourself. Choosing self care is sometimes the hardest thing to do, but it is the most important. It’s okay to no be okay all of the time and feel like you have to hold it all together. Sometimes we all have to remember to take care of ourselves. We need little reminders that our feelings and emotions are valid. It is okay to feel whatever way you feel. The trick is to feel it, digest it, and then use a healthy coping skill to get through it. You have the right to make time to exercise, watch your favorite show, take a long shower, take a nap, or read something. It does not have to be all or nothing, you can find peace in the little moments that you take for yourself. You also have the right to set boundaries for yourself and to protect yourself from negative people who try to tear you down. Sometimes you just have to remember your “me time”.