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How to Say No
Learning to say no was one of the best gifts I’ve ever given myself.
It was quite an adventure to overcome mindset limits and the feeling of guilt that comes after saying that magical two-letter word.
I was scared to say no to people for most of my life, and I still am sometimes. But I’m becoming better and better at putting myself first. So what do I eliminate from my daily tasks to make room for self-care and me time?
Here are some things I would have said yes to in the past and how I’ve learned to give more consideration before I oblige.
House Chores
I grew up in a world where gender roles were well-defined. The girls were given dollhouses to keep clean and organized, while the boys could play soccer and discuss cars and cartoons. Things have changed since I was a kid, but the mindset hasn’t entirely been erased. For years, I’ve felt guilty for leaving dishes in the sink or unfolded laundry on the chair.
I still care about these things and experience a sense of guilt when chaos rules over my house. But I’ve learned to delegate. All family members have specific chores on their to-do list, and we also hire extra help. I may still clean for our cleaning lady, but it still counts as a victory in my book.
