As teenagers, our opinions, views, and voices often get overlooked. Our perspectives frequently get dismissed. Our opinions are not taken seriously just because we are young.

Just because we are young does not mean our thoughts aren't important. We are seen but not heard. Instead of being brushed to the side before even being considered, we need to embrace our voices and speak up, even when it feels like no one is listening. In a world that shushes young voices, we need to speak even louder, stand our ground, and refuse to be pushed aside.

1. Find Your Voice

Finding your voice isn't about being actually the loudest in the room; it is about learning to express yourself with confidence and grace. Before wanting to have your opinions heard, you need to know what your opinions are. Know your rights and boundaries, and try to continue and learn from them every day.

Speaking up doesn't only have to be to those older than us; it should be to your peers, too. Whether it's speaking up to your school district about problems you've been facing at school or even just setting boundaries with a friend, every moment you speak your truth, you will build your confidence, poise, and authenticity.

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2. Understand Your Worth

You deserve to be heard and respected. Never let someone tell you otherwise. No matter your age, gender, race, or sexuality, you are worthy of consideration and value.

After being pushed to the side many times, you may feel like you are undeserving and your voice doesn't matter. Use that as fuel. Understanding your worth is the foundation of standing up for yourself. Recognize that your thoughts, feelings, and boundaries are valid. When someone is trying to make you feel small, they are just insecure in themselves, and they see you (a young person) as an easy target to make feel the same way. You are not "too much" to advocate for what you are passionate about and what you care about. We deserve to be taken seriously, just as much as anyone else would be. The more you believe in your value, the harder it is for others to ignore it.

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3. Speak Up When It's Hard

Don't get me wrong, I know it might feel scary to stick up for yourself. It is easy to stay silent when you have been rejected, judged, and ignored. But silence will just make you feel even more invisible.

The hardest moments to speak up are the times it is most important to use your voice. Don't let others see that you are scared. You might feel terrified to speak, but they don't need to know that. Be bold and be firm. Your courage to speak (even if your voice shakes) is one step closer to change. It is okay to feel scared; it is the fact that you are still speaking up that matters.

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4. Standing Up For Yourself Doesn't Mean Disrespect

For those who have been told that sticking up for yourself automatically means you are "talking back" or being disrespectful, I'm here to tell you otherwise. It is the way you do it. Advocacy doesn't mean disrespect, and silence doesn't mean respect.

Standing up to those who have authority over you can seem intimidating, especially when they make it seem like you are being rude for doing it. If you think your teacher gave you an unfair grade on your paper, tell them! Tell them why you think they should give you a better grade. Challenge them. It doesn't mean you are being disrespectful; it shows that you care and you aren't afraid to stick up for what you think is best. Some people confuse confidence with attitude, but in my eyes, there is a difference between standing your ground and tearing someone down. You can speak your truth without yelling. You can set boundaries without being mean. Being respectful won't make your message weaker, it will make it stronger. Something my dad taught me is that when speaking with clarity and calmness, people will not just hear you, they will listen to you too. Respect goes both ways, and you can demand it while showing it too.

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5. Uplift Others When Standing Up For Yourself

Standing up for yourself is important, and it is even more powerful when you use your voice to lift others up at the same time. Advocacy isn't just about your own voice; it is creating a space for everyone to speak their truth. Support others in sharing their opinion.

Your community will grow as a whole if everyone knows the importance of advocacy and respect. Encourage your friends, classmates, and peers to stand next to you and turn all of your courage into collective power. If we all work together, our voices will be harder to ignore, and change will be more likely. Helping others find their voices will make the impact even stronger.

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6. We Will Be Dismissed

Truthfully, at the end of the day, there will be people who just don't want to listen. There will be times when we continue to be dismissed as young people. They might even say we are too young to understand or we are too emotional.

That does not mean we stop speaking; it means we speak louder. We stand taller and we keep showing up. We have to continue to fight to be heard. Every time we choose to speak up, we prove that our voices do matter. There WILL be people to learn from us and recognize us. Do not be discouraged. Again, use your frustration as fuel and show that one person trying to push us down is not going to stop us; instead, it will make us stronger. We will not stop until we are heard, and we will continue to advocate for ourselves and each other.

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Speaking your truth might not always be easy, but it is necessary. Standing up for yourself is an act of courage. Know your worth, find your voice, and refuse to back down.

We might be young, but we are not invisible. The more we use our voices, the more the world will have to listen.