Dearest Reader,

Have you ever thought about what personal rights we have as human beings in our personal relationships with others, be those familial, romantic, friendships, work relationships or others?

Everyone should be able to freely exercise or declare these rights in a relationship, whatever variety that might be, considering, at the same time, the needs of others and affording them the same freedoms.

The first time I heard about the “Personal Bill of Rights” was when I started therapy more then twelve years ago back home in Romania. For complete openness, I continue with my weekly sessions (with the same brilliant therapist) even eleven years after moving to London. Trust me, it takes dedication to improving and continuously develop oneself, it’s not always easy to wake up every Friday at five or six am for my therapy session, as there is a two-hour time difference between Romania and the UK, but it is all worth it as I can simply turn up to the Skype call in my fluffy and warm bathrobe. I joke with my therapist all the time that I do have other garments, and I do wear make-up! I don’t always look like I have just gotten out of bed 🙂 Watch this space for another post about my experience with therapy.

I was taken aback the first time my therapist shared the bill with me. I read through it so confused that I didn’t know about it. It was strange seeing these rights written on paper, they were no longer conceptual or theories that are thrown around. They made so much sense and gave me that feeling that I was right from the beginning, I knew about them in my heart, I just didn’t have anyone around me to articulate them so clearly.

I have the list printed and displayed on my little notice board, next to photos of my dear niece and nephew, in my tiny living room in my cosy London flat. Those who live in London know that “cosy” is code for “small”! 🙂

I look at the bill regularly, in good and in less good times, to remind myself that I have the right to change my mind, say no, determine my own priorities, be playful and frivolous, have my own space, not be perfect, be healthy, live by my own standards, say ‘I am afraid’ or ‘I don’t know’, change and grow, be happy, etc.

I leave you with the complete Personal Bill of Rights below. I would like to hear from you in the Comments section. Are you familiar with the bill, do you use it, do you think about it? Do you have any personal experiences that relate to it that you want to share with others.

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Hoping you will find this helpful. Sending you positive vibes from my heart and mind to yours.

1. I have the right to ask for what I want.
2. I have the right to say no to requests or demands I can’t meet.
3. I have the right to express all of my feelings, positive or negative.
4. I have the right to change my mind.
5. I have the right to make mistakes and not have to be perfect.
6. I have the right to follow my own values and standards.
7. I have the right to say no to anything when I feel I am not ready, it is unsafe or it violates my values.
8. I have the right to determine my own priorities.
9. I have the right not to be responsible for others’ behavior, actions, feelings or problems.
10. I have the right to expect honesty from others.
11. I have the right to be angry at someone I love.
12. I have the right to be uniquely myself.
13. I have the right to feel scared and say “I’m afraid.”
14. I have the right to say “1 don’t know”.
15. I have the right not to give excuses or reasons for my behavior.
16. I have the right to make decisions based on my feelings.
17. I have the right to my own needs for personal space and time.
18. I have the right to be playful and frivolous.
19. I have the right to be healthier than those around me.
20. I have the right to be in a nonabusive environment.
21. I have the right to make friends and be comfortable around people.
22. I have the right to change and grow.
23. I have the right to have my needs and wants respected by others.
24. I have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
25. I have the right to be happy.