Empowerment
Hi self-harm recovery! I wanted to talk a bit about empowerment today and what it means! I really love empowerment because I enjoy empowering others and also the feeling of being empowered by others. There are so many benefits to both giving/receiving feelings of empowerment as well when we are in really tough spots in our lives. I remember needing to feel empowered when I was self-harming a few years ago and I wish I knew how to empower myself at that time. :(
So what is empowerment?
The definition of empowerment is giving someone the power or authority to do something. I find this incredibly empowering in itself because you can give others or yourself the feeling that they are able to do what they want to do! For me, the definition of empowerment is to encourage and make others feel able to make their own free decisions and actions.
Why is empowerment so helpful and important when empowering others?
I think empowerment is helpful when used on others because it's incredibly encouraging and also gives the sense of confidence to them as well! Often, people feel like they don't have what it takes to do hard and difficult things or are just feeling down and sad. Empowering others can help others who are feeling this way feel less down and more able to feel better. I find the power behind empowerment in words so inspirational as well. The words we say to others have the ability to give them confidence and able-ness to do what they want to and need to do.
Why is empowerment important and helpful for ourselves?
Just like how empowerment is used to encourage others, empowerment can also be used on ourselves! Self-empowerment in really isolating times is extremely important and can be an important skill to use in one's self-harm recovery journey. Self-empowerment can often take place in affirming true facts to ourselves and being kind to ourselves.
What are some ways to empower ourselves and others?
Telling others/yourself that you're proud of them/yourself for listed reasons!
Expressing gratitude for them/yourself for things that they've/you've done in the past.
Telling yourself/others that you believe in yourself/others.
Discussion questions!
1) When was the last time someone empowered you and how did that make you feel? What about the last time you empowered someone else and how do you think they felt/how did they react?
2) What's your favorite thing about yourself and why?
3) What food do you dislike the most?
Tagging the SHR sub-community! :)
Tagging the community <3
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1) When was the last time someone empowered you and how did that make you feel? What about the last time you empowered someone else and how do you think they felt/how did they react?
It was probably yesterday. I don't know. It was like I was being lied to. It was also probably yesterday, as a complement. I have no way of knowing. For them it was probably just a drop in a ocean, wasn't noticed and didn't matter.
2) What's your favorite thing about yourself and why?
I don't really like much of anything about myself. I guess I would say tenacity. I am still here nothing has got me to quit yet.
3) What food do you dislike the most?
I guess another one is squid. It's got a texture like a bugger. I've baited thousands of lbs of it. I have unbaited so much if it as well. It quickly rots and stinks and has a outer sticky slime that spreads like mayonnaise that leaves a oily layer that won't wash of easily. No matter how fresh or fancy prepared it is I can't stand it.
@Flornhope
Hi Florn <3 I'm sorry to hear that being empowered made you feel like you were lied to and I hope others do a better job at not making you feel that way in the future! I noticed you said that empowering others might have felt like a drop in the ocean for them or pretty unimportant and I wonder if it was important or notice-worthy for you? Either way, I'm sorry ot hear you don't like much about yourself but I gotta say tenacity and determination are really important character traits that should not be underestimated! I'm glad you recognize that about yourself and I'm so proud of you for being determined. I'm actually allergic to seafood and have not had squid ever! :o That description of it sounds pretty gross though :(
@TheAtticusFinch I have issues with compliments, well and a lot of other stuff as well. It so anything empowering or even close is it weird for me. I've been lied to and manipulated plenty. It certainly isn't anybody's fault on here. Other people seem to get encouragement and praise often. It seems to be their normal. So it probably doesn't matter much what I say or do. If I didn't have as much of those two qualities I wouldn't have much at all. Thank you for say so. Any seafood isn't cheap. So that might not be so bad. Where I live we can hop in a boat or walk down the beach and get it. If I had to go to the store and pay for it I'd never have any. That and I know how most of it is processed. Lots of the big boats and processing plants aren't the same as if you do it yourself. Thank you again.
1) When was the last time someone empowered you and how did that make you feel? What about the last time you empowered someone else and how do you think they felt/how did they react?
I think it was yesterday. I have a hard time taking compliments but it made me happy that they sawe that way. I think I empowered my friend yesterday as well. I was talking about how they are a strong and amazing person.
2) What's your favorite thing about yourself and why?
My favorite thing about myself is my memory and vast comprehension of topics. I can read something and then five years later recall all the details of a book.
3) What food do you dislike the most?
Meat but that's because it makes me physically ill.
@positiveTurtles
Turtles! <3 I'm glad that you received a compliment yesterday and that it made you really happy!! :D You deserve it And awww, I'm glad that you empowered someone else too! Ouuu I never knew Turtle was such a smartie and could remember so much! I have a pretty terrible memory myself so it's something I look up to. :D And ew yeah for sure I totally get that with the meat thing. :P Take care <3
I can't go over this information does anyone want to go over daily check in stuff with me one at a time so it's more managable for me?
@ShadowTag
Aw, I'm sorry you can't go over this information and I agree maybe check-ins might be easier for you <3 Take care hon
1) When was the last time someone empowered you and how did that make you feel? What about the last time you empowered someone else and how do you think they felt/how did they react?
I think when my friend was there for me and understood what I was dealing with. I like to think when I was helping my friend when she was going through a break-up.
2) What's your favorite thing about yourself and why?
My Compassion for others, Just being able to help and understand others and animals.
3) What food do you dislike the most?
I have always disliked seafood.
@Goldcherry2113
I'm glad your friend was there for you when you were going through a break up in the past. We all need more friends like that in our lives! Glad to also hear that you're a compassionate person. Compassion is so important and often underrated I think! And awww, the fact that you help animals is so adorable! I'm allergic to seafood so I can relate with ya on that one. :3 Thanks for replying!