The Advocacy Revolution: Empowering Change through Bold Conversation (Based on Episode 11)

Advocacy isn’t just standing up for a cause; it’s me standing up for myself, for others, and speaking louder than that one voice in my head telling me to stay quiet. It’s a revolution of conversations—big, small, bold, and awkward (especially awkward).

My First Step: Advocating for Myself

Listen, I didn’t always know how to advocate for myself. In fact, asking for what I needed used to feel like walking into a room full of people singing “Happy Birthday” to me...and I didn’t want a party. But I learned that advocacy starts with realizing it’s okay to ask for what I need, even if that means saying “no” to that extra Zoom meeting or “yes” to taking a mental health day to recharge and focus on myself. Once I realized it wasn't selfish to ask for what I needed, life got a lot easier. Speaking up at doctor’s appointments? Check! Setting boundaries at work? Double check! Telling family and friends that, with three kids under two and a half, I'm currently living in a world of deliriously fun chaos and will try to catch them on snack breaks? Triple check! Advocacy may be tough, but it’s way better than not being myself and pretending I have it all together.

Conversations as the Starting Line

It turns out that the first spark of advocacy starts with conversations—sometimes with other people, but often with myself. And like any good chat, the key is flexibility. My conversations can start one way and end somewhere entirely different—like beginning a discussion about bedtime routines and ending with existential questions like, “Do giraffes sleep?” When it comes to advocating, especially for myself or my loved ones, I realized advocacy isn’t just one loud battle cry. It’s more like a series of tiny, polite (but firm!) whispers.

Workplaces and Healthcare: The Adult Advocacy Battlegrounds

Let’s be honest: workplaces and healthcare settings are the ultimate boss levels of advocacy for adults. They come with rules, systems, and phrases like “circle back” that are uttered without breaking eye contact. From my experiences in these battlegrounds, I’ve learned that resources and community are game changers. When navigating healthcare—deciphering insurance jargon or pushing for personalized care—I arm myself with information and surround myself with supportive people. I seek out doctors who truly listen and align with my values, approaching appointments like a seasoned detective (figuratively speaking, of course).The workforce culture in the U.S. has shifted dramatically over the past 30 years. While previous generations often projected loyalty by staying with one company, today’s workers are advocating for their needs and values. I hope to see more people entering interviews with the mindset of determining whether a company aligns with them. It might sound like a luxury, but would you rather be job hunting in a few months after realizing your boss is a dictator or that the company culture isn’t the Disneyland they promised? Leadership in the workforce not only encourages opportunities for colleagues to practice advocacy, but they should also prioritize advocacy for employees. While working is a huge part of your day, it’s just a fraction of your life. So let’s stop subjecting people to professional development sessions that offer no real value! If we advocate for better education and systems for our youth, we should do the same for the adults in the workplace!

Starting Advocacy with Children

I believe teaching advocacy to children can be even easier than being an advocate ourselves! Encouraging kids to express their wants and needs often helps us heal our own childhood wounds and reflects on times we wish we’d done better. It can be as simple as letting a two-year-old choose their sock color or deciding how much of a Trader Joe’s Blueberry Bar they want for snack time. The answer is always the entire box, not just one bar. By giving them choices early on, we’re not just picking out socks or snacks; we’re nurturing their self-confidence, communication skills, and ultimately, their ability to advocate for themselves. It’s like planting seeds of empowerment that will blossom as they grow!

Progress, Not Perfection

Advocacy is a journey, not a destination. I’ve come to realize that it’s not about getting it perfect. Some days, my advocacy is a quiet, steady voice of reason. Other days, it’s me strongly yet politely contacting customer service because they delivered my package to the wrong address. The goal? Progress. Slowly, step by step.

Self-Care: Because Advocacy is Exhausting

Advocating can drain the energy faster than my toddler on a sugar rush. Whether it’s standing up for myself or navigating complex systems, it’s easy to burn out. That’s why I’ve learned that self-care is non-negotiable. Whether that’s rewarding myself with a nap or a small victory dance for each successful moment of advocacy, I make sure to keep the tank full.

The Advocacy Revolution

Through all the awkward conversations, bold moments, and the occasional “Did I really just say that?” moments, one thing is clear: advocacy is more than just speaking up. It’s a revolution of change powered by voices—mine, yours, everyone’s. The best part? It doesn’t take a megaphone, just the willingness to start a conversation, listen, and grow. Let’s keep this advocacy revolution rolling, one tiny ask at a time.