Speak Up Like Your Life Depends On It

Speaking up takes courage. Every time you raise your voice about an issue, you are exposed. Sometimes, the risks are small. Someone could laugh at you or dismiss your opinion. It stings, but only for a moment.

Other times, the risks are bigger. You may lose your job, a friend, or the respect of your peers. 

By and large, though, only a few of us encounter situations where speaking up is genuinely life-threatening. Yes, some people have died for their opinions. But be honest. You are not one of them. 

It sounds ridiculous to stand up for the small things. These pesky details and small injustices seem too insignificant to bother with. Why would you risk ridicule for something so trivial?

You tell yourself that it can wait. It's not that important. Maybe you'll say something later. Perhaps it's not even your problem. Let someone else say something about it.

Just let go of the little things already!

Here's the thing, though: The small stuff makes up your whole life. Or almost. The little things happening around you every day have a much more immediate impact on your life than the stuff that makes the news. 

Don't believe me?

Think about something super insignificant. 

The laundry detergent, for example. Imagine you are slightly allergic to it or don't like the smell. It's not a big deal, but you experience a little bit of discomfort whenever you wear your clothes.

You wear your clothes a lot, though, don't you? That mild discomfort adds up. It is always there—the whole day. Even at night, you feel a slight irritation from the smell of your sheets. This minor detail affects your entire life. Not by much, but persistently.

Now imagine changing the laundry detergent. The relief is palpable. The laundry smells fantastic. Your whole life just got better.

Speaking up about the small things that bother you is a little bit like changing your laundry detergent. You need to treat the small stuff like your life depends on it because it does.

Sometimes, you'll be able to change the laundry detergent just by saying something once. Other times, it may take more tries and some negotiation with the other residents of the household. You'll have to try it out. You'll come to a solution, eventually.

The only way the laundry detergent will never change is if you don't speak up. What's more, that mild allergy might turn into a severe rash.

You don't want a rash. You don't want the small things to fester and turn into bigger ones. So do something about that laundry detergent.

Speak up.