Saying No, by a reformed Yes Girl

Saying no can be so difficult, yet it is a vital word in our vocabularies to create the foundation to self-care and setting boundaries. Trust me, I want to help everyone, take care of everyone, and be available too.

I’ve learned that always saying yes is more stressful; it wrecks havoc on our bodies, our sleep patterns, our productivity, and even our relationships. Think about it, if you’re stressed out and tired, how are you truly showing up at full charge when you intend to?

So how can you come to terms with NO? Remember a few things.

They don’t need to know WHY. It’s true! You can simply say I’m not available. You don’t have to explain yourself.

Try calendar blocking. Yes, said the Goddess of Time. If you schedule time for yourself, personal and family time, self-care time, date night, reading time, whatever, in the calendar, then it is already blocked off if someone asks something of you. You have an appointment… with yourself!

Use visual tools and triggers. At home or in the office, try a symbol for “Do not disturb” to help keep interrupters at bay.

Delegate or offer alternatives solutions if you still feel the urge to help.

Reward yourself to keep the habit going. 

There are benefits to saying no. It reduces stress and resentment, frees up time, leads to increased self-confidence, and is proven to better both mental and physical health

Tick Tock… it’s About Time!