Speak up

How often do you just put up with it, even when it’s not what you wanted?

Especially as women, we’re often taught (consciously or not) that being “nice” is more important than being honest or assertive.

These seemingly small moments happen all the time:

☕ You order a cappuccino, but it arrives flat. No froth, not what you wanted. You drink it anyway.

✂️ Leave the hairdresser with damp roots and that dreaded frizzy halo when you paid for a proper blow-dry. And you know you’d have to redo it at home. But you smile and say thank you.

💬 In a meeting, you have a point to make, but someone cuts in. You never return to it.

🩺 You walk out of a doctor’s appointment with lingering questions but you didn’t want to take up more of their time.

 🫧 A cleaner misses a spot. You smile, thank them, and redo it yourself later.

We tolerate things we don’t actually agree with.

We don’t want to be seen as difficult, demanding, or "too much."

It seems small. But it’s not.

These moments reflect something bigger:

- A pattern of tolerating instead of requesting.

- Of staying silent instead of speaking up.

- Of shrinking to avoid being seen as bossy.

Remember:

-      Being assertive isn’t being rude.

-      Asking for what you want doesn’t make you selfish.

-      Voicing your needs is a form of self-respect.

Asking for what you want clearly and kindly is a skill.

And it’s a crucial mindset shift especially for women navigating career, motherhood, and everything in between.

Start small. Speak up.

And notice how empowering it feels to stand in your own truth even over a cappuccino. 😊 

What’s something you used to tolerate, but now confidently speak up about?

Let’s normalise asking without apology and shame.