30 Steps to Self Empowerment (SAAM)

If you didn't already know, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

And I know, I know... April is practically already half way over, but I thought I would share these 30 steps to self empowerment, to commemorate Sexual Assault Awareness Month, written by S. Davidson. I found this piece while tabling for the Women's Center in our student union and it comes from the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women, although, I'm sure it's been published elsewhere, too.

I believe that this list was originally created for women who have been physically or emotionally abused by a parent or partner. In any case, these steps are so motivating and inspiring and may apply to you anyway. I encourage you to share and, in turn, try to live by these steps.

30 Steps to Self Empowerment

1. Follow your gut!!! If something doesn't feel right, it's probably not a good place for you to be. Your instincts rarely let you down, but we've been conditioned, especially as women, to ignore these.
2. Try not to be afraid to ask for help. There's many wonderful people more than willing to help you in a positive and healthy way.
3. ASK what you don't know. Learn to be self sufficient: Read, go to the library, enlighten yourself in any way you can. Learn how to drive, budget money, become organized, save money, be responsible for your bills/children/self.
4. Face your fears... realistically, patiently, safely. Create scenarios in your mind, practice saying your thoughts out loud so "paralysis" won't set in.
5. Set realistic goals for yourself and believe in yourself.
6. Try not to lie to yourself.
7. Surround yourself with positive people, avoid those who will tear you down in any way.
8. Don't feel bad if you stay away from old friends or even family members.
9. Take care of yourself - responsibly. Understand that there's a big difference between self care and being selfish - and think about where those messages of being selfish are coming from.
10. Set clear boundaries. Set limits. Learn/experience how good it feels to say NO.
11. Develop your spirituality but avoid following blindly. Whatever your faith, walk the talk.
12. Treat others the way you want to be treated: with dignity and respect.
13. Know your own limits but don't underestimate your own personal power.
14. RECLAIM!!
15. Put positives in place of negatives.
16. KNOW, deep within your heart that NO one deserves to be abused, you're not alone and i fyou have been abused in any way, IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.
17. Develop a safety plan: for you, for your children.
18. Be prepared.
19. Be patient: especially with yourself. Healing is a process. It takes time, but it's worth the wait.
20. Put responsibility where it belongs. If someone has hurt you, it's their responsibility. If, after taking an honest and guilt free look at yourself, you feel you have hurt someone... make amends and try not to make the same mistake.
21. Understand the difference between lonely and being alone.
22. Stand up for yourself; as a woman, as a human being.
23. Learn to take a critical look at media images and messages.
24. Challenge the stereotypes that may keep you oppressed in any way.
25. Learn to be assertive; not aggressive or passive.
26. Learn to hope again. Take charge of your life.
27. Be responsible. Freedom comes with being responsible.
28. Find your hidden talents - your creative side - develop it.
29. Learn to make decisions. Understand that life is about choices. With every choice we make, there's a consequence. Try to make the choices with the most positive consequences.
30. Take deep breaths. When you're stressed, you forget to breathe. Trust you instincts, trust your gut, trust yourself. YOU are important and worthy of being treated with respect and dignity.