Unveiling Whimsical Wonders: Mary's Enchanted Cheezee Plant-Based Crackers

Greetings, kindred spirits of the gastronomic realm. Today, we're going to embark on a journey as enchanting as a fairy dance through moonlight meadows. Our quest? To explore the mythical world of taste with none other than Mary's Cheeze Plant-Based Crackers. Two enchanting varieties, the Cheddar and the Herb and Cheese, stand before us bearing ethereal gifts of vegan and gluten-free magic. So gather 'round fellow seekers of taste and enlightenment, as we venture into the heart of flavor, textures, and whimsical delights!

Taste and Flavor: A Dance of Whimsy

Picture a masquerade ball of flavors, where each cracker wears a cloak of mystique. The Cheese and herb sprite takes center stage, a whisper of cheese on its lips. Yet, dear seekers, the taste journey often walks on air, with hints of cardboard fluttering by. Alas, the flavors are nothing more than a faint melody in the wind.

Texture and Mouthfeel: An Elemental Fusion

Let us speak of textures, where the elements combine into a curious union. Imagine a dance between earth and sea, where crackers are both solid and dissolving, like fairy dust. Gritty sensations tiptoe along, as if sand grains tell the tails of seashores of a long, yet forgotten past. It's a whimsical dance and our taste buds are enchanted partners.

Aroma and Presentation: A Scented Spell

Close your eyes, and the aroma whispers secrets of the land's bounty. Crackers, they say, and yet the aroma carries the essence of simpler days. The presentation, while unassuming as an elf's home, harbors a certain charm--a bit like discovering hidden portals in ancient woodland. 

Variety Comparison: Enchanted Echoes

Two fairies, distinct yet intertwined perform a dance of comparison. Cheese and Herb, emit a playful a playful aura, though the flavors remain elusive. The plain cheddar, a quiet comparison, stays true to its name. A harmonious duet, each woven into a tapestry of taste.

Value for Money: A Pixie's Puzzle

Imagine counting stardust, that's the challenge of evaluating worth. Coins are exchanged for enchanted bites, yet the taste journey leaves us pondering the worth. A touch of skepticism lingers, a riddle yet to be solved.

Versatility and Usage: A Fey Feast

As fairies dance in moonlit gatherings, these crackers yearn for a simpler feast. Versatility escapes their grasp, and culinary partnerships remain distant dreams. Complements to other dishes? Alas, a silent sigh sweeps through the glen.

Overall Enjoyment: A Whimsical Whirlwind

Taste, texture, and aroma mix together in an intricate dance. Yet, dear souls, the laughter of enjoyment echoes softly, carried by the breeze. Flavorless whispers fill the air, and our hearts long for a more enchanting melody.

Conclusion: Farewell to the Fey Table

As our journey concludes, we bid farewell to Mary's Enchanted Cheezee Plant-Based Crackers. While the enchantment of the mystical realm remains, the flavor's spell remains untangled. Seekers of taste, embrace these ethereal delights with an open heart, for in the realm of flavors, every palate holds a unique key to unlocking the mysteries of taste.

Dear Questers, Share Your Tales

Eager wanderers of taste, the tale lives on through you. Venture into the forest of flavors, embrace the magic of these crackers, and share your tales with kindred spirits. Will you uncover the hidden fairy whispers within, or shall the taste remain a wistful dream? May your journey be whimsical and your taste adventures ever enchanting!

Allow me to weave a tale of gratitude, where the gracious hands of my sponsor, like benevolent woodland sprites, have gifted me this enchanting treasure. With their magic, I conjure this whimsical post, as the whispers of the mystic Mary's Cheeze Plant-Based Crackers echo through every word!

Weekly Weigh in: Embracing Challenges: The Path to Personal Growth and Resilience

Life is an ever-changing journey filled with ups and downs and it's the challenges that we encounter that mold us into the human beings that we become. Today I want to talk about the impact of challenges when it comes to personal development and resilience, I want to talk about how they provide opportunities for learning and growth. Because challenges are inevitable, and how we approach them does make a difference. Then I'll ask you to weigh on how challenges molded you into the person you are today. 

How Do We Grow Anyway?

Being face to face with our challenges is important for someone to grow. It really is, our obstacles slow us down and when to keep us from learning valuable life experiences. You can't learn much from experiences if nothing happens in life. You can't grow without being given the opportunity to grow. It's a bit like a plant in a pot, you don't know if you can grow or handle the soil if you don't get put into a new pot. Sometimes yeah, you'll lose a leaf or a petal, but you can learn and still grow. That's how we are as humans growing machines. 

My Story About Growth and Resilience

Hearing your mom is going to need brain surgery when you're a 16-year-old is a huge earthquake in your life. The thought about anyone having brain surgery makes your own brain swim with thoughts and emotions makes you overloaded, and makes you stop everything in your tracks. I did just that I quit school just to be with my mom. Unaware of how much my life would change right after her surgery.

Quitting school and my mom's brain surgery to remove a cyst (noncancerous) off of her brain was a huge challenge for me, and that was even before she had her surgery. I had no clue what the road ahead of me was and how it'd make me grow. 

The day of my mom's surgery was emotional. I wasn't allowed to be with her or my aunts when she had her surgery, which was well over two hours away. I was forced to stay home, where I had no clue what was going on, this was before people used cell phones regularly. The only way that someone could get ahold of someone else, for the most part, was by means of a landline.

The surgery went well, but there was something that I wasn't told about as an after-effect, not really a complication, but an after-effect was her short-term memory loss. She'd forget that my sister and brother went to school any little things like that. Thinking about resuming life, and going back to school right away was the least on my mind. 

My mom eventually got better. Her memory is back to normal. She can remember things that I forgot about. Sometimes I forget that she even had surgery and this period in her life. I eventually finished school through adult education, in only a little over a month (most people take a bit longer to complete school). I'm now able to be more patient with others when they say they forgot something I told them or a memory that they have. While yes, a downfall to that is, I've learned to repeat things, just in case they don't remember what I've said before. The repeating things apparently get people a bit annoyed, but only if they knew what I went through years before.

Now that I look back on this point in my life, I see the growth, I see the lessons I've learned. Sometimes I almost forget where I learned to repeat what I've said before from, as it's so ingrained into my memory back. The tragic moment that shocked and surprised me, has made me grow a lot. More than I thought I'd need to grow. 

Life Offers opportunities and Not Challenges

Let's take the thought of life offering challenges out of our vocabulary, but instead, lets call them opportunities for growth and to learn from. I know it sounds crazy to think about life at the time something happens, that it's not a challenge, but an opportunity to grow, because it doesn't feel like there's much growth happening when something happens or so that we think. But if we called them opportunities to grow rather than a challenge, roadblock, or whatever it may be, life we may learn even more lessons.

Looking back on all the challenges in life, you can still grow and learn from them. If we make a list of everything that you would call a challenge, and now reframe them as growth opportunities. It for sure doesn't change the fact that life was hectic and possibly even depressing then, but it can now be a time to think, "What did I learn from this opportunity?" and "What ways can I grow now that I didn't think that I could grow before!  It's all about positivity! 

Conclusion

It's time for you to weigh in, when were some times in your life when you had a growth opportunity? It's great to empower other people and let them know that they can grow and learn from almost any opportunity. Learning from others shows growth. Don't worry about playing life safe, oppertunities happen no matter what happens. 

Unraveling the Truth: Debunking a Common Misconception About Celiac Disease

Celiac isn't just a gluten sensitivity, celiac is a possibly dangerous autoimmune disorder. Let's take time to shed some light on some of the most common misconceptions about celiac. Today I'm going to talk a bit about one of the hugest misconceptions and debunk the myth by giving some actual information instead of confusing you even more. The more you know the better understanding you'll have about celiac. 

Misconception: Many people believe that celiac disease is just a mild gluten sensitivity and not a serious health condition.

A bit about Celiac

Celiac disease is anything but mild, intestinal damage, problems absorbing nutrients, fatigue, rashes, and neurological issues are all are a reality when one ingests gluten. A lot of issues above can cause even more issues down the road. If one's celiac is not properly managed by diet, there are long-term complications, things as osteoporosis, infertility, cancer, and even lactose intolerance. 

The Harsh Reality of Celiac Disease

I think the thing that most people know nothing about, and may actually not fully understand is that Celiac disease is actually an autoimmune disorder. When a celiac eats ingest some gluten, their villi can't absorb nutrients. Opening a Pandora's box of fun illnesses. Yes, you heard that right when someone ingests gluten, it's not just an allergy or intolerance, gluten can in fact cause someone's body to attack itself. The health problems and reduced quality of life aren't worth it. 

Let's dig deeper into the misconception

I'm not here to judge anyone for thinking that celiac is a mild intolerance or sensitivity. It's something that happens a lot. Both the confusion between celiac and other illnesses, the lack of awareness about gluten, and even the understanding of what gluten REALLY is and where it comes, come into play when we think about the misconception. Sadly the misunderstanding can be dangerous as the lack of knowledge leads to a possible delayed diagnosis and even having an adequate support system. Learning the name of the monster that makes you sick is a step forward when finding out how to defeat it.\

How Do We Correct the Misconception?

If you're looking for ideas on how to correct it. I have a few ideas on how to get this misconception put to rest after all. All of these should work together to get the job done.

Individuals with celiac talking about their condition with others

It's hard to put misconceptions to rest without actively talking about them. For those of us that have celiac, it's time to talk about our condition when it comes to friends, family colleagues or anyone who deals with our food. When educating others about the condition, use empathy and open the discussion as much as you can. People don't support hostility. 

Personal Stories
This suggestion goes out to all my creative folk, with or without a platform, it's time to talk about celiac. It's time to share our stories, share our symptoms. Personal stories about our challenges and learning how we navigate life will allow people to gain a deeper understanding of our condition. 

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If you don't have a platform, and want your story to be told. I'm more than willing to post anyone's celiac journey or anything anyone wants to talk about their life with celiac, within reason. It doesn't have to be a blog post, it can be Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, or whatever platform you feel comfortable with. Send me a message and I'm more than willing to share your story with others.

Debunking With Science and Articles
When all else fails, there are websites and articles that can help explain why celiac is not just a mild illness. The link above from the Mayo Clinic is an example of a place that's credible but also explains exactly what celiac disease is and why it's dangerous. Doing your own homework and urging people to do their own research is sometimes all that it takes to get one's point across. 

Conclusion

Celiac is a serious health condition that requires compassion and understanding. By being able to dispel this misconception through education, sharing your experience, and even showing some scientific evidence, we create a more knowledgeable, society. Let us embrace empathy and work together to support others by spreading awareness, so that those with celiac can live without judgment and understanding!\

The Validity of Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk: Embracing Individual Choices

You're the guardian of motherly love, expressed drop by drop. Welcome to the blog post where I aim to shed some light on why it's okay to exclusively pump, and why it's a valid choice. I want to be able to empower mothers on the journey that I'm on. Breastfeeding is a beautiful way to bond, but not everyone can or wants to bond by breastfeeding. Here we talk about the reasons why you might want to do so. 

8 Reasons Why You May Want to Pump

1. Being able to share the responsibility of feeding your baby with others: If you're pumping your breastmilk, your baby can bond with you and any of the people taking care of it. 

2. Work or Lifestyle issues: If a breastfeeding human has a busy life with work or a busy lifestyle, exclusively pumping makes it easy for anyone who wants to breastfeed, but isn't able to. Even when you are away baby can eat milk another day.

3. Easier to manage your supply: Ever wonder how much milk your baby receives? When you're exclusively pumping, you're able to measure how much milk your baby gets and if you need to adjust feeding your baby's feeding schedule. 

4. Being able to breastfeed longer: If you have a breastfeeding goal, as most mothers do, pumping can help a mother reach their goal. If you save a stash of breast milk in your freezer and use an app or something like the Exclusive Breast Feeding Calculator, you'll be able to make it to your goal easier. 

5. Being able to share milk with others: Did you know that you can donate your milk to a mom who may need it? Sometimes things come up and a mother in the NICU can use some milk, moms of multiple babies or even a mom who's going through health issues.  Back when my son was born, I relied on donor milk the first week because my milk hadn't come in yet. Now that I'm able to produce my own milk, it's my hope that I will be able to help other mothers in the future. 

6. Medical issues: Piggybacking on the last reason, sometimes a person can't breastfeed but she can actually pump milk. Babies have latching issues, moms can have nipple pain, and there are other options where a baby or mom can't breastfeed from the tap. With the use of pumps, there are ways that a baby can still enjoy breast milk.

7. Increased milk supply: If your milk supply is low, regular and consistent pumping an actually

stimulate milk production. It's a bit like a grocery store, the more you pump, the more your body can create. 

8. For comfort, and confidence: Not all peoples are confident enough to breastfeed in public, being able to take out a bottle may be a little more comfortable, especially if they prefer to avoid social situations where they may feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding. 

Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all, and one-way works approach when it comes to feeding your baby. No matter your choice, whether it be exclusively pumping, breastfeeding, or even formula feeding, what matters most is that your baby is happy and healthy. I'd love to hear about your experiences when it comes to feeding your baby. If there are more reasons that should be added to this beautiful list feel free to list them and I'll add them to this post. Let's celebrate motherhood and support everyone's choices!

From Bump to Baby: Transitioning from a Pregnancy Blog posts to baby blog posts

It's time to switch gears a little bit when it comes to pregnancy blog posts, I'm sure there will still be some, but because this blog follows my day-to-day life, I'm no longer pregnant anymore. I believe that this blog is both a learning platform for myself and others and also a way to document my life. That also means documenting my new babies' milestones and experiences and posting things I'm learning about when it comes to pregnancy. 

That doesn't mean that I won't have health, mindfulness, and bonding blog posts, because I will. It's just the change when it comes to pregnancy vs. baby that is going to be changing a lot. 

 A little memory-jogging moment

Some of my favorite blog posts were the ones that taught me to be mindful during pregnancy and reminded me to bond with my unborn baby. Belly story time was even more fun once my baby was born. I even tried to be mindful when I was in labor. Things like that became a valuable moment for me when I was pregnant for obvious reasons. 

Embracing the New

I am starting a list of new baby-related blog posts already! I want to be able to help other new moms. I'm not afraid to bring people along for the new baby journey and create memories, and help others with some more important mommy and baby bonding moments, ways to increase breastmilk production, and things that are hippie related. There are so many new adventures to on now! Who's ready to see what the future holds? I know that I am! 

A bit more about the content

What I expect to be posting about is a ton of cool things that are still unfolding inside this crazy mind of mine.

Milestones. As a mom to a late-term preemie (I'll talk about my birth story soon), I am almost certain there will be personal and learning-related milestones that I think would be a great thing to learn from. 

Parenting Tips. There's going to be a lot more about parenting when it comes to giving some tips that I hope would work for others. Learning, especially when it comes to new babies and children sounds like a whole lot of fun.

Product reviews. I hope to be able to talk about products that I've been able to let you know if the products are a good buy, or do not try a type of thing. Especially when it comes to baby stuff. 

If there are things that you would like to learn and talk about when it comes to pregnancy and would like me to post about. I would really love some suggestions. This blog isn't all about me, I really like to be able to help others along the way as well.

The excitement continues

I'm not going anywhere anytime soon nor do I plan on it. I do understand that there may actually be times when there may not be a post for a few days, just because babies are exhausting, but I do intend to share as many experiences, no matter what they are, or if they're related to babies or one of my other topics or not. If you're not subscribed to my blog or following any of my social media, I encourage everyone to do so! 

Why I Plan on Documenting, the Milestones and Memories of Pregnancy and Stuff

Even though I've been down the "new baby" road before, it's been so long ago that I was down this particular road, and the old, phrase, "They won't stay little for long, so make memories why you can," sticks my head. I won't be writing a baby blog for long either, or so it'll feel, write the posts I can, while I still can. I am one of those moms who aren't a fan of posting pictures of my little one's to strangers, to protect their safety, but when it comes to memories, I am not afraid to talk about milestones, talk about things going on in my life and I'm not afraid to talk a little bit about my pregnancy journey either.

Possible Collaborations in The Future

What I'd really love to do in the future, would be to collaborate with other parents whether it'd be influencers, bloggers, or vloggers, I want to make this blog as much of a cute little family as I can make it.  If I'm able to collab with anyone, either on the parenting aspect or any of my other blog posts. I feel having a whole new perspective would help others on whatever life journey that they are on. If my story or my life doesn't resonate with you, I'm hoping someone else's life story or content will. If you're a blogger, vlogger, influencer, or content creator and you want to submit a post, don't be afraid to message me, I'd love to hear from you. 

Conclusion

The small journey from pregnancy blog to baby blog has been a short one, but I'm so grateful that I have been able to share the journey so far and I'm even more grateful that I'm going to be able to start a new phase when it comes to blogging. Even though this blog is about me, I'm hoping that this journey will be an amazing one. I thank everyone who's read my posts and supported me so far and hope you all keep supporting me!

50 Pregnancy-Related Self-Love Journal Prompts for a Blissful Journey

I've mentioned both my love for journaling and my love to show some self-love, but what if you can't think of journal topics for some pregnancy-related self-love? I provided a list with some ideas to help you. It's time to embrace the beauty of your changing body, show some self-care, and build a positive mindset. 

Celebrating Your Changing Body

Your pregnant body is beautiful, it's changing so much and it should be celebrated. It's time to celebrate your body in your journal. 

1. Reflect on the awe-inspiring journey of growing a new life within you.

2. List five things you appreciate about your changing body and its abilities during pregnancy.

3. Explore the qualities that make you beautiful beyond physical appearance.

4.  Describe how your body has transformed throughout the different stages of pregnancy and celebrate the progress you have made.

5. Write down affirmations that specifically focus on appreciating and embracing the changes happening to your body during pregnancy.

6. Explore the ways in which your body is strong and capable during pregnancy, highlighting the physical activities or exercises that make you feel empowered.

7. Reflect on the radiant glow that often accompanies pregnancy and express gratitude for the natural beauty that shines from within.

8.  Identify and celebrate the unique physical features or characteristics that have developed or intensified during pregnancy.

9. Embrace the natural curves and contours of your body, expressing gratitude for the miraculous ability to create and nourish life

10. Create a self-portrait that represents your changing body during pregnancy, focusing on capturing the beauty and strength you see in yourself.

Nurture Your Emotional Well-Being

We covered prompts about your outer body. Let's cover some prompts about your body, because both our inner body and outer body deserve self-love.

11. Write a letter to your unborn child, expressing your love, hopes, and dreams.

12. Offer yourself kindness and understanding by acknowledging and forgiving any insecurities or doubts you may have.

13. Create a list of positive affirmations to repeat daily, reinforcing self-belief and confidence.

14. Reflect on the emotional changes you've experienced during pregnancy and explore practices that bring you peace and emotional balance.

15. Journal about the ways in which pregnancy has heightened your intuition and explore how you can nurture and trust your inner guidance.

16. Write a love letter to yourself, highlighting your inner qualities, strengths, and the amazing job you are doing as an expectant mother.

17. Explore different ways to release and process emotions, such as through writing, meditation, or talking with a trusted friend or therapist.

18. Describe self-care activities that specifically cater to your emotional well-being during pregnancy, such as engaging in hobbies, practicing mindfulness, or seeking support.

19. Reflect on any societal or personal expectations you may have about pregnancy and motherhood, and write about releasing them to embrace your unique journey

20. List five moments or experiences during pregnancy that have contributed to your emotional growth and express gratitude for the lessons learned.

Let's Get Some Self Care in There 

21. Describe your ideal self-care routine during pregnancy, focusing on activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

22. Reflect on the small joys and mindfulness exercises you can incorporate into your daily routine.

23. Make a list of self-care activities that specifically cater to your physical well-being during pregnancy.

24. Reflect on the importance of rest during pregnancy and identify ways you can prioritize and incorporate more restful moments into your routine.

25. Journal about the ways you can prioritize healthy and nourishing food choices during pregnancy, focusing on meals and snacks that support your well-being.

26. Describe your ideal sanctuary or self-care space, and brainstorm ideas on how to create it within your home to retreat and rejuvenate.

27.  Explore creative outlets that bring you joy and allow you to express yourself, such as painting, writing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument.

28. Reflect on the types of physical activity or gentle exercises that make you feel energized and explore ways to incorporate them into your self-care routine.

29. Write about the benefits of taking breaks from technology and how you can establish boundaries to limit screen time, fostering a more mindful and present state.

30. Identify ways to engage and indulge your senses, such as enjoying a soothing bath, listening to calming music, or surrounding yourself with pleasant scents.

Ways to Connect With Others

Sometimes pregnancy can be tough and we forget that we need to bond with others as well. We don't know how to do it, but we want to do it. Here are some ideas to help you.

31. Journal about the ways you and your partner can nurture your relationship during this transformative time.

32. Reflect on your support system and identify people you can lean on for emotional and practical assistance during pregnancy.

33. Research and write about local or online communities that cater to pregnant women, where you can connect with others who share similar experiences.

34.  Reflect on the importance of nurturing relationships during pregnancy and brainstorm activities or rituals to deepen your connection with your loved ones.

35. Journal about the ways you can document and preserve precious moments during your pregnancy journey, such as through photographs, letters, or a pregnancy journal.

36. Explore ways to cultivate intimacy and connection with your partner during pregnancy, whether through date nights, heartfelt conversations, or nurturing physical touch.

37. Reflect on the friendships that have supported you throughout your pregnancy and express gratitude for their presence. Consider ways to stay connected and maintain those bonds.

38. Write about the family traditions or rituals you want to establish or continue during pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences and creating lasting memories.

39. Explore online resources and communities where you can connect with other expectant parents, share experiences, and find support, even if physical gatherings are limited.

40. Reflect on the benefits of seeking professional support during pregnancy, such as attending prenatal classes, seeking guidance from a doula or midwife, or participating in support groups.

Visualize Your Birth Experience

While our birth experience may not be anything like we're going to be writing down, but it's okay to still reflect and think about the experience anyway.

41. Document your thoughts and desires regarding your ideal birth experience, exploring your hopes and expectations.

42. Identify any fears or anxieties you may have about childbirth and brainstorm strategies to address and alleviate them.

43.  Use the power of visualization to imagine your desired birth experience, focusing on positive outcomes and feelings.

44. Gather images, quotes, and symbols that represent your ideal birth experience and create a vision board to visualize and manifest positive outcomes.

45. Craft a powerful affirmation that encapsulates your desired birth experience, focusing on strength, courage, and trust in your body's abilities.

46. Close your eyes and imagine your ideal birth scenario, exploring the sights, sounds, and emotions that accompany it. Write about the vivid details you visualize.

47. Describe the physical elements and atmosphere that would make you feel most comfortable and supported during labor, such as lighting, music, or scent.

48. Research and read positive birth stories to inspire and uplift your mindset, and reflect on the elements of those stories that resonate with you.

49.  Journal about your preferences, concerns, and expectations for your birth experience, and consider ways to effectively communicate and advocate for your needs.

50. Explore any fears or anxieties you have surrounding childbirth, and write about releasing and replacing them with feelings of confidence, trust, and empowerment.

Conclusion

Self-love during pregnancy is important, creating memories for yourself and future generations may be fun. This is only 50 ideas, there are many more ideas when it comes to self love and pregnancy. If there are any ideas you'd like to add, put them in the comments. 

Becoming Assertive Like a Pro: A Comprehensive Checklist

I have a new goal in life, to be more assertive! Most of us passive folk, wish that we were more powerful, we want to be able to express our needs and set boundaries effectively. With that thought playing around my head, I knew it was time to compile a blog post to help myself and others become more assertive. Are you ready to try to be more assertive? 

Understanding What Assertiveness is

To become assertive, we must know what exactly being assertive means and what assertive is. While yes most of the time we know it's the opposite of passiveness and aggression, that really doesn't help someone if that's all that we know about assertiveness. To be assertive one must communicate their thoughts, feelings, and needs respectfully and directly. We don't want to be aggressive and become hostile when we communicate, nor do we want to avoid conflict and ignore our own feelings and desires.  

If you're communicating clearly, able to communicate honestly and know how to set healthy boundaries, chances are they are already assertive. But those of us, like myself, are not able to do so, and happen to be passive, it's right where we want to be. It's our dream outcome, and while it sounds accessible to the assertive folk to, "Just be assertive," it isn't like that exactly. It takes work to become assertive! 

Find Out Your Communication Style

How exactly do you communicate? What are your communication patterns? It's time to take a step back and think about how you express yourself when you handle conflicts. I'm not talking about conflicts on social media that we all like to watch unfold, I'm talking bout in the real world. If you're trying to think of an example and are unsure about what kind of communicator you are, there's a quiz below to help you. 

Once you're aware of what kind of communicator you're more self-aware of your own thoughts and actions. And when you're more aware of your thoughts and emotions, you're able to grow and change your communication style. 

Time to Develop Confidence

Before we can be assertive, you need to develop confidence. That does mean we need to take a step back and challenge our thinking, if our self-talk isn't that kind, it's time to realize that we have confidence. We need to celebrate what steps we make, reinforce our belief in ourselves, and try to build a positive self-image in ourselves. We can only be assertive with confidence. 

Try Improving Your Active Listening Skills

Time to hone in on people's nonverbal cues when they're talking and use a little bit of active listening. Active listening a way to promote empathy for someone and helps with growing trust. Active listening is important to becoming assertive. Some way to learn to active listening is to paraphrase what someone is trying to say while nodding to indicate you understand and comprehend what they're saying. 


Along with active listening, there has to be some understanding of others' perspectives. It's equally as important to becoming assertive. Especially when it comes to problem-solving situations and being able to collaborate with others on their ideas. You can't possibly see eye to eye with someone and work things if you don't see what their point of view is.  

Expressing Yourself Clearly and Directly

Now we have confidence and are listening better. The next box to check off is learning how to express ourselves. Imagine getting to the point where you're able to say something like, "I understand your concern, but I have made my decision and I stand by it," or "I would like to contribute my ideas during this meeting. Can I have a chance to share?"  

When you're expressing your feelings remember to use "I" statements, and be specific. Let's pretend that you have a friend that isn't respecting your boundaries and it's bothering you. A passive person might say, "You're not respecting my boundaries. Please respect me." With the statement, your friend could assume that you're not wanting to be their friend anymore and may take the statement completely differently than what you were intending. But if you said something, like, "I value our friendship, but I need you to respect my boundaries." Your friend will understand that you care about them, while you're meeting your own needs and give you ownership of how you feel.

Set Some Healthy Boundaries

One huge thing that must be done to be assertive like a pro is to have some personal boundaries. We need to protect our emotional, physical, and mental well-being.  You should be treated as you think you should be treated. We're able to protect our autonomy and assert our needs if we have boundaries.

When you set your boundaries, be confident, use respectful body language and be calm. You need to be be clear and specific, especially when you're using your clear and direct body language. People need to know you mean business. Sometimes, things don't go the way you want them to when you try to set your boundaries, so be prepared and try to show your newly found assertiveness.

Practice Makes Perfect

The last point in this checklist is the scariest part of becoming assertive, at least in my point of view. It's practicing to be assertive. But after learning that I don't need to rush out and try my assertiveness everywhere and that it's okay to start slowly. A small step may be asking someone for help, or ordering food at a restaurant. 

Once we've mastered the low-risk baby tasks. Try increasing your assertiveness. Something like requesting a refund or alerting the restaurant that they had your order wrong. Each time you have a successful experience, it will boost your confidence, causing you to be more assertive. Push your boundaries little by little and eventually, it'll become easier. 

Conclusion

To be assertive, it's time to be confident, be direct, use our active listening skills and set some healthy boundaries. As scary as it might sound it'll be okay. You now have a check list that you're free to print out and put everywhere that you may need it. Because you know being assertive, shows confidence, and people listen to assertiveness.