Why is it so hard to ask for what we want? We all have needs and we should feel safe enough to go to our spouses or partners, coworkers, friends, and family to express what those needs are. We cannot complain about our jobs and the people in our lives not meeting our needs when we have never given them the chance to actually meet them. In order to ask for what we really need, we need to know who we are. That way we can ask for what we really need. If you don't know yourself, chances are you don't know what you want. In turn, it will be impossible to ask for what you truly need.
Speaking up for yourself and asking those we trust to meet our needs is not selfish or needy. We all have special needs that are going to get us through the day ...through life. Communicating those needs to the people we feel can meet them is a vulnerable space and can be a rewarding one.