#Self Assertion

Expanding Yourself Without Apology or Fear

The second half of the sentence shifts the focus from mere visibility to “conviction,” implying that presence without grounding can become performance. Conviction is the stabilizer that keeps expansion from turning into noise or bravado; it is the clarity that says, “I belong here,” before anyone else agrees. In this way, hooks is not prescribing dominance over others but coherence within the self. When you speak with conviction, you are less dependent on approval to feel legitimate, which also makes your presence harder to negotiate away when discomfort or backlash arrives. [...]

Fierce Joy as a Claim to Space

Hurston’s wording moves from interior to exterior: first you gather joy, then you use it, then you claim space. That sequence implies preparation and practice, like drawing breath before speaking or centering yourself before stepping forward. The quote acknowledges that claiming space can be difficult, so it offers a method: cultivate an inner reservoir that can carry you into public life. In everyday terms, this might look like bringing your full voice to a meeting, taking credit for your work without apology, or allowing your style, language, and perspective to be visible rather than “neutralized.” The connective tissue is joy used as fuel—an inner yes that becomes an outward stance. [...]