We’ve all seen it—the bold, bubbly font on a brightly colored background, an Instagram quote screaming at us from our feeds:
“Stop being considerate in spaces where you are not considered.”
And if you’re like me, you probably saved it. Dropped it into your “Motivation” folder. Maybe even sent it to a friend with a “Right???” in their DM.
But here’s the thing. As much as I feel this quote deep in my bones, I also know that civics, advocacy, and even professional success aren’t as simple as a viral post.
If only it were as easy as speaking up—or storming out—of every room where we felt ignored, underestimated, or dismissed. If only disengaging or smashing the system with a sledgehammer magically created something better. I mean, don’t get me wrong. It would be awesome if this were the case. But it doesn’t.
And that’s what I want to talk about today.
First, What’s Your Goal?
Before you decide whether to speak up or burn it all down, ask yourself:
Are you here to speak your truth? Or are you here to persuade?
Both are valid, but they require different strategies.
If your goal is to be heard, to take up space, to make noise—then hell yes, stop being considerate in rooms that don’t consider you. Throw your truth like confetti and let the explosions stick. Your job isn’t to make people comfortable; it’s to be undeniable.
If your goal is to persuade, to shift power, to change the system itself—then disengagement (or destruction) isn’t always an option. Sometimes, you have to be strategic. You have to learn the rules so you can rewrite them. You have to figure out how to make the system work for you—or build an entirely new one.
The Art of Persuasion in Unwelcoming Spaces
The original quote says:
“Stop being considerate in spaces where you are not considered.”
But maybe the better quote is:
“Start being persuasive in spaces where power fears persuasion.”
So how do we do that?
Small Good Things
Ask the Right Questions, Not Just Make Statements. Instead of arguing head-on, ask pointed questions that force people to justify their assumptions. “If we believe in fairness, wouldn’t it make sense to…?”
Make Others Feel Seen Before Challenging Them. People resist change when they feel attacked. Acknowledge their concerns first—“I see why that might seem true…”—before offering a better alternative.
Leverage Social Proof. Power follows power. Mention where momentum already exists. “This is already happening in [industry/state/sector] and seeing results. How can we be ahead of the curve?”
Big Good Things
Control the Capital, Control the Conversation. Power doesn’t shift because people are convinced—it shifts because the cost of not changing becomes too high.
Shift the Power Centers. If the existing rooms won’t listen, build new ones. Create alternative institutions—PACs, think tanks, investment groups, or media platforms—that set the terms of the debate rather than react to them.
Make the Status Quo More Uncomfortable Than Change. Systemic shifts happen when those in power see inaction as riskier than action. Whether through public pressure, legislative moves, or financial consequences, create an environment where standing still is no longer an option.
Final Thoughts: Consideration vs. Persuasion
If the goal is to change minds, shift power, and remake broken systems, then persuasion isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. Disrupting the status quo takes more than volume; it takes strategy.
The real challenge isn’t just being heard—it’s making it impossible to be ignored.
They expect our outrage. They fear our strategy.
Love + Light,
Sophia
P.S. To my subscribers—you're the reason this space feels like more than just words on a screen. Your thoughts, your shares, your conversations—they turn this into a community. I see you, I appreciate you, and I’m so grateful you’re here. ❤️
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