EXPERT ADVICE

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE INEVITABLE PUSHBACK WHEN YOU STAND UP FOR YOURSELF “OUR JOB IS NOT NECESSARILY TO CONFRONT OUR FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS AND CHALLENGE THEM. IF WE ARE BUSY DEFENDING OURSELVES, WE MAY ACTUALLY BE LACKING CONFIDENCE IN OUR CHOICES AND CHANGES. STAY COMPASSIONATE WITH OTHERS AND ATTEMPT TO UNDERSTAND THEIR RESISTANCE. TRY NOT TO TAKE IT PERSONALLY. MAKE YOUR DECISIONS BASED ON SELF AND SELF- CARE, AND THEN USE THIS AS A BASIS FOR LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE OF OTHERS.”

– Alyson Jones, counsellor and clinical director of Alyson Jones & Associates in Vancouver