You Can Take a Stand Without Being Angry
When I was younger, standing up for myself looked a lot like a fight.
I learned early how to stuff my emotions down—pack them in tight—until I couldn’t anymore.
After enough insults… enough violations… enough watching things unfold that felt so wrong, I would snap.
And when I snapped, I didn’t just speak up.
I exploded.
There were times when standing my ground meant swinging fists.
And later, after I became a mother, that physical fight turned into screaming matches—hateful words thrown like weapons when my body remembered how to defend but forgot how to discern.
The Shift That Saved Me
Something changed after I had my first son.
I looked at that tiny human and knew I couldn’t afford to go to battle every time life got hard.
He needed me.
Whole. Present. Grounded.
I couldn’t keep giving my power to anger.
But I didn’t know another way yet.
So I numbed. I adapted. I avoided the fire—until it consumed me from the inside.
The Question That Changed Everything
It wasn’t until I stopped numbing that I started listening.
And one day, in the middle of a moment that would’ve once sent me spiraling, I asked myself a question:
“What do I want?”
What do I want from this person?
From this exchange?
From this challenge?
From myself?
That question became my anchor.
It helped me pause.
It helped me disengage.
It helped me reconnect to me—not the fury, not the fear, but my essence.
You Can Take a Stand and Stay Rooted
Anger short-circuits clarity.
It disconnects us from our inner wisdom, our light, our power.
But when you know what you stand for—when you’ve built a life on truth instead of triggers—something beautiful happens.
You don’t need to rage to be heard.
You don’t need to scream to be strong.
You can take a stand and still stay soft.
Now, I can face even those who wish me harm…
and remain true to my values, my energy, and my intention.
That’s what power really is.
Your Reflection
- Where have I let anger speak before I’ve even asked what I truly want?
- What does it mean to take a stand that reflects who I am, not just what I’m against?
- What would shift if I paused and asked myself, “What do I want?” before I react?
This Is the Return to Light
This is what it means to return to light.
To stop letting the fire burn you alive… and start letting it illuminate the path forward.
You can take a stand.
You already have.
And you are so loved.
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Journal Prompts You Can Take a Stand without Being Angry
About Teresa Rodden
Teresa Rodden is a coach, author, and guide for women in their prime who are ready to stop numbing, start feeling, and live with purpose. Through her signature message, Love Yourself Back to Light, Teresa helps women reconnect with their truth, rewrite limiting narratives, and remember their brilliance. Whether through her writing, coaching programs, or live workshops, she invites women to embrace curiosity, courage, and the power of their own story.
Connect with Teresa on Instagram @i_am_teresarodden or learn more at TeresaRodden.com.
