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Personal Rights; It's Okay to Have Edges


We all have the right to be treated with fairness and respect. Knowing our personal rights can make it easier to know our edges and keep our boundaries healthy. Unfortunately, not everyone gets taught that they have rights. When we do not know that we deserve respect we may allow others to do us harm. Here is a list of some of your personal rights.


Work boundaries
Leaving work on time and taking breaks are examples of protecting your rights.

Right to be Healthy


In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, maintaining personal rights and setting healthy boundaries is more important than ever. With constant demands from work, family, friends, and society, it can be easy to forget to take care of our own needs and well-being. But respecting your personal rights and establishing healthy boundaries is not just a form of self-care; it's a fundamental aspect of preserving your mental, emotional, and physical health.


Understanding Personal Rights


Personal rights refer to the inherent freedoms and entitlements that every individual has in their life. These rights are rooted in the belief that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. While many of these rights are legal (such as the right to privacy or freedom of speech), they also extend to personal realms—like the right to make decisions about your own life and body, the right to express your feelings, and the right to prioritize your needs.


At its core, recognizing your personal rights means acknowledging that you have a say in how you interact with others and how you choose to live your life. You are allowed to say "no," to take breaks, and to ask for what you need without feeling guilty or selfish. In doing so, you maintain your sense of identity, autonomy, and self-respect.


What Are My Personal Rights?


  • I have the right to be treated fairly and respectfully.


  • I have the right to make my needs equally important to those of others.


  • I have the right to make my needs known by asking for what I want.


  • I have the right to decline requests.


  • I have the right to make mistakes and be imperfect.


  • I have the right to state my thoughts and feelings.


  • It is okay to stand up for my rights provided I respect the rights of others. They have the same rights as I do.


Conclusion


Understanding and embracing your personal rights, along with setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, are vital practices for creating a balanced, fulfilling life. They empower you to live authentically, protect your well-being, and foster relationships built on mutual respect and care. Remember, your needs and rights are important, and by prioritizing them, you set the foundation for a life that aligns with your true self.


It can take learning new skills to prioritize your needs and become more like the person you want to be. It's easy to say you do not need to feel guilty, but much harder to do in practice if you do not have the skills you need to manage difficult situations. If you are interested in learning how to have healthy edges with others consider working with a professional counselor. Developing and actively practicing new skills with a trained, unbiased counselor can be an effective way to make healthy changes in your life.


By cultivating personal rights and boundaries, you can live with greater peace of mind, confidence, and a deeper sense of self-worth. Start today by taking small steps to protect your energy, time, and emotions—you deserve it!



References

Adapted from a worksheet from ACT with Love (2nd Ed.) 2022 by Russ Harris.


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