Saying no is proving to be one of the most difficult responses for women to give, even though it is killing them. Think about how often you say no. Is it very often at all? Now, look at how quickly you respond yes to something. Are all of your yes’ draining you? Do you find yourself stretched so thin by helping others that you can’t seem to get a grasp on what you want in life? Are you noticing your health and wellness taking a hit from being over-committed?
If any of this sounds familiar, then I invite you to keep reading to find out 5 ways saying no will save your life.
Saying no gives you more time.
Let’s face it, the more you say yes, the less time you are giving yourself. Every yes is minutes and hours spent doing for other people. Don’t get me wrong, there is a proper place for doing for others, but not at the expense of your health and wellness taking the blunt force of it.
Saying no gives you more energy.
This may be a given, but it’s still worth talking about. There is something linked physically to doing “all the things.” Have you ever said yes to something, only to find that when the time comes, you simply don’t have the energy to do it? There is something to that girlfriend! Protect your energy reservoir by saying no more often.
Saying no is a confidence builder.
In most cases, we say yes out of feeling obligated or feeling downright guilty. Either way, neither of those ways work in your favor. That’s why it is important to see the confidence-building characteristic that can be built from saying no. When you say no to something, you are initially saying yes to yourself.
Saying no gives you more control.
People, especially women, don’t typically pay attention to this aspect of saying no. The more you say yes to others to meet whatever their needs are, the less control you have over you, your time, and your needs. Having the confidence to say no means you are taking the necessary control over what’s most important in your life.
Saying no gives you more respect.
Respect is another factor least thought about, and it doesn’t necessarily have a lot to do with gaining respect for others. Instead, it’s more about gaining respect for yourself. Wrapped up in this is also respect for your time and abilities. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you always need to be available to do that thing. Yes, people may be a little taken back about you placing boundaries, but it is absolutely necessary.
Say No to Save Your Life
In Episode 3 of my podcast show, Girl, GET OFF The Couch, I shared a story of a mom who struggled to say no. She genuinely felt bad for wanting to go to the gym and take time to work on herself. I was able to help her realize that neglecting her health and wellness would inevitably end up in her not being able to enjoy the things she’d want (or need) to say yes to.
Perhaps you find yourself sacrificing your health and wellness at the expense of saying yes to others. I’d like to share something about the word no… it is an anointed word. It’s a powerful word that carries great importance. The word no has the ability to shift your health and wellness.
I want you to walk in optimal health and wellness, starting with saying no. If it’s a struggle for you right now, that’s okay. Use the following tips to get started:
- Look in the mirror and practice saying the word no.
- Start saying no one situation/circumstance at a time.
- Get comfortable saying no without giving an excuse.
- Keep in mind you are saying no so you can say yes to important things.
Remember, girlfriend, you are important. You are valuable. And your health and wellness are too.
