Human Rights
You have rights. You have rights that are a fundamental part of being a human- rights you do not need to earn or be deemed “worthy” of. Unfortunately, many people do not believe that they have these rights. Issues with mental health, low self-esteem, and being mistreated by others all lead to this misconception that we either have to earn our rights or that we have no rights at all. It was not until I was in therapy and going through the recovery process that I discovered I have rights as an individual human being! I learned that I have always had these rights, I was just not aware of or honoring my rights. Not everyone was taught their rights as a child, but it is never too late to learn, and honor, your rights. Keep reading to learn what a bill of rights is, how your rights can help you, and how to claim your rights! I even listed 35 rights I believe every single person has- including you!
What is a Bill of Rights?
A bill of rights is a list of rights that you have innately and are a fundamental part of being a human. These rights can be thought of as guidelines because they set the standard for how you expect to be treated by others, and yourself. By creating your bill of rights, you are becoming your best advocate. You are clearly stating what you deserve and are acknowledging that you are worthy of these rights. Your bill of rights helps you in many ways including setting boundaries, validating your needs, and affirming your self-worth.
Your Bill of Rights
Take a moment to consider what rights you have. Even take out your journal to start really reflecting! After you write out the rights you have, look at the list I created below. Go through the list and reflect on each right individually. Ask yourself how you feel and if you believe you have this right. If you are unsure or think the answer is no, reflect on why you might feel this way.
Personal Bill Of Rights
Below I listed some of the rights I believe every single person has. This is not a complete list and feel free to comment and let me know what rights you think should be on the list too! Click here for my handy PDF version!
1 |I have the right to change and grow.
2 |I have the right to take care of myself, no matter what.
3 | I have the right to forgive others.
4 | I have the right to forgive myself.
5 | I have the right to give and receive love.
6 | I have the right to my own personal space and time needs.
7 | I have the right to follow my own values and standards.
8 | I have the right to be in a non-abusive environment.
9 | I have the right to make my own decisions.
10 | I have the right to make mistakes and not be perfect.
11 | I have the right to be playful.
12 | I have the right to all of my feelings.
13 | I have the right to expect honesty from others.
14 | I have the right to determine and honor my own priorities.
15 | I have the right to dignity and respect.
16 | I have the right to end conversations with people who make me feel put down.
17 | I have the right to my needs and wants being respected by others.
18 | I have the right to privacy.
19 | I have the right to be happy.
20 | I have the right to say “I don’t know.”
21 | I have the right to feel scared and say that I am afraid.
22 | I have the right to say “no.”
23 | I have the right to change my mind.
24 | I have the right to not be responsible for other’s behaviors, actions, feelings, or problems.
25 | I have the right to ask for what I want.
26 | I have the right to be healthy.
27 | I have the right to express my feelings, both positive and negative.
28 | I have the right to be myself.
29 | I have the right to hold others accountable for their own behaviors and not take the blame.
30 | I have the right to create the future I want.
31 | I have the right to be angry at someone I love.
32 | I have the right to share my feelings if and when I choose.
33 | I have the right to set healthy boundaries.
34 | I have the right to recovery.
35 | I have the right to trust those who have earned it
Claiming Your Rights
Having low self-esteem and being mistreated makes it hard to know what rights you have and how you deserve to be treated. Even your basic rights and entitlements could go unnoticed and unmet. Acting as a people pleaser and using the word “should” also cause problems for honoring your rights. The good news is that it is never too late to start recognizing, believing, and acknowledging your rights! There are a lot of resources to help you out. I highly recommend the book Healing The Child Within: Discovery and Recovery for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families
How do you feel about your rights? Have you considered writing out your own bill of rights? What rights do you have or have trouble acknowledging? Please comment below and tell me what you think of my article and any thoughts about your personal bill of rights! If you know someone who could benefit from this article, please show you care and share the bear! Be sure to sign up for my emails and follow on social media to get the most of the positive world of Brightside Bear!
