Saying “NO” is Okay

The word “NO” has always been a complete sentence.

No need to explain.
No need to make up a story or feel guilty for days after.

This message is for all the people-pleasers out there.

If you’re feeling burnt out, exhausted or you’re juggling too many balls, you need to learn to say, “No!”

As a recovering people pleaser I know this can be hard.

But remember, there is only so much time in the day. And there are only so many days in our year. And accordingly, so many years in our lives.

When we learn to say no we are saying yes to the things that matter.

For me, that’s my family and friends.

I don’t reply to every email sent to me, I don’t say yes to every project, I don’t take every request for a phone call because I realize that my time is limited.

I once felt guilty for saying no but now I just think of my daughter: That time would have been robbed from her.

Let me repeat this again, saying no is saying yes to what matters to you.

I also want to address the folks who feel they don’t have the luxury of saying no because they can’t financially or they don’t have the autonomy.

One day, things will change. I’ve been in your shoes. Say yes till you can say no, if you can, find the things you CAN eliminate in your life. When I was younger that was getting rid of the takers in my life, bad habits, and leaving toxic work situations.

Learning to say no to the things that no longer serve you makes room for the good to flow in.

And for those who long to be of service to others, remember that there is a fundamental difference between service to others and servitude. Know the difference.

Lan Phan