5
Respecting Yourself

Each of us is unique and self-respect might mean something different to each of us.

Read these stories from other Alaskan youth about their road to respect. Click here.

HERE ARE THE BASICS.

Tell your truth. Be honest about who you are and your road to respect story.

We all have a story with ups and downs. Don't be ashamed to tell your story honestly.

You are valuable and deserve to be valued!

Surround yourself with those that understand your true worth. It is easy to compare ourselves with others, but the truth is our uniqueness makes us special. No person has the right to make us feel disrespected or undervalued.

Do what you love and what you believe … follow your passion.

What do you like to do? What are your passions? Do you know how to follow them? Being who we are and following our passions is an important part of telling our truth and respecting ourselves. Want help learning more about yourself and your passions? Click Here.

Trust your instincts. They are usually right.

A lot of us second guess ourselves, but if we take the time to trust our instincts we usually know if something “feels right”. If it doesn't feel right…get out and get help.

Draw your line and stick to it. Let your friends, boyfriend or girlfriend know what you feel comfortable doing and not, and stick to it.

Whether online or in person. We all have a line that we do not want to be crossed.

Know what your line is and communicate it clearly.

If your line has been crossed. Get help. If you are in a violent relationship, it is unlikely to just stop or go away. You cannot change your boyfriend or girlfriend's behavior by changing your behavior…. And you are not responsible in any way for the violence. Your boyfriend or girlfriend may need counseling or other outside help to change and you may need support so that you can begin to heal. Read more information on how and where to get help. Click Here.

HEAR THIS

"If you think you can do it, or you think you can't do it, you are right."

- Henry Ford

"Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life."

- Golda Meir

"Whatever you are doing, love yourself for doing it. Whatever you are feeling, love yourself for feeling it."

- Thaddeus Golas

What does it mean to you?