Coming out can be hard and a step into the unknown. You don’t know how people are going to act or what is going to happen when you tell them. So, here are some tips to make it easier and less stressful.
1. Be Confident
If you want to tell others about who you really are, you have to feel comfortable and confident in yourself. Know that some people will embrace you and others may push you away. You have to be strong enough to handle that, and you can only do so if you truly accept that you are a good person that is worthy of love. It may not be an easy journey, but it is a necessary one. You can’t hide from the world forever, because it just isn’t healthy for you. Speak up and be ready to deal with whatever comes your way as a result.
2. Choose Someone
Once you know that you identify as LGBTQA, it is time to choose someone to talk to about your life. Write down the names of the people that you are closest to. These individuals could be family members or friends. Think carefully about each person; who should be the first one that you speak to? In general, you want it to be the individual that you connect with the most. For someone, that was his/her mother. They have always been able to talk about anything and she is very much a part of his/her daily life. Out of everyone, the individual felt that his/her mother would accept him/her and provide him/her with the support he/she needed to continue his/her coming out journey. And he/she was right.
3. Choose A Neutral Location
Some people may not be happy when you share your news with them. That is why it is important to choose a neutral location to share the news; you want to feel safe and have the ability to leave the location if you need to. For example, a public place is always a sure bet because there are others around if you need help. In addition, consider what will happen if your family doesn’t want you around after you share your news. Where will you go? Do you have a place to stay? Think through these issues before moving forward.
4. Script Your Speech
Obviously, you aren’t going to read a prepared statement to your friends and family about your sexual orientation. Still, you should practice what you are going to say so that you can get all the important words out. It is normal to feel nervous, and it can be hard to think clearly when you are feeling a rush of emotions. If you practiced what you wanted to say, though, you’ll find that the words come out easier.
5. Be Prepared To Wait
You can tell your family the news as gently as possible, but you still may not get the reaction you are looking for. This is something people often learn in therapy when coming out according to claritychi.com. In many cases, it simply takes time. The other person may be taken completely off-guard and need a chance to process the information. You need to be patient. Give them the space they need to deal with your news and then hopefully come back to you with a fresh outlook. They need to realize that nothing about you has really changed; you are still the same person that you always were. In most cases, a little bit of time makes all the difference. The vast majority of your family and friends should ultimately be accepting.
There is no right or wrong way to come out to your family and friends. The tips in this article are just a guide to help you figure out the best way to take this step. Your situation is going to be very different from someone else’s situation. Ultimately, though, it is important that you live your truth. Staying in the closet indefinitely is not good for you. You should be free to live your life and be happy, and letting others see the real you is very important to that process.
