Everyday you’re faced with circumstances that will push you to make decisions. Most times it’s either a “Yes” or a “No”. The answer you give will either make you happy or sad. Of course, although nobody will happily choose sadness, there have been times when you sacrificed your happiness or peace of mind for the happiness of others.
We know “yes” to denote positivity, optimism or openness to receive only the best, while “no” denotes the negative, pessimism or closed doors. Over time I realized that if you want to say “yes” to a happy, blissful life, you need to start saying more “nos”. Hard to believe? Here are 4 reasons why saying “no” is actually good for you.
- People start respecting you
When you are clear about what you want, never be afraid to draw the line. People will respect you when you respect yourself and your time. Drawing boundaries keeps you empowered. You will not be treated like a doormat or push over. Saying “no” will give the impression that you have a life and you have things you value. But most of all it tells people who value YOUR time. Time is an asset you can’t take back so you’d rather spend it on something more worthwhile.
- It’s an act of self-love
Serving people is a good thing. But you’ll only be able to give quality service if and only if you give it to yourself first. Remember the saying “love your neighbour as yourself”? Saying “no” so that you have time for yourself is a way of showering yourself with love. You give yourself, your comfort and your goals priority over others. All these build you up. When you’re strong in your love and appreciation of yourself and your mission in life, it is so much easier to be there for others. Self care and love is needed for a fulfilling life.
- You save time
You know how you always say “I don’t have time” or “I have so much to do”? If you honestly examine your life and daily activities you’ll observe that 99.9% of the time you could have used to do something so much more important, is spent on devoting your time to someone else. Saying NO regularly gets rid of the selfish people in your life. You’ll no longer have to deal with their unreasonable requests or fit other’s activities into your itinerary, if it is not convenient.
- You are in control of your life
When you say “yes” to everything and everyone around you, you’ll find your life being dictated by people. They’ll be the one who will encroach on your time and space. Saying “no” gives you the upper hand in your life. No one will be able to tell you how you should spend your day. When you begin to say “no” you will be able to plan your time and do the things you want to do. You will have a life to live and goals to pursue.
Don’t underrate the powerful word “NO”. It may be small yet difficult to say. But when you’re able to break free and make the transition, you will be the one who will live your life on your own terms and not on the terms of others.
Do you struggle to say no regularly?
nice post
Thank you.
Great post this. I’ve been saying No a lot more recently and you are right in that you do feel you have got your sense of control back again.
Yea. Thanks Jon.
I’m going to have to start saying “no” now. This post brings up a lot of very valid points. Thank you 🙂
Thanks for reading.
I love this post. It’s new and I’ve never heard it read anything like this. Great examples of why and when to say no. It’s not in a negative way but rather in an empowering way. Thanks much!
Thanks for reading Cassie.
This exactly. Saying no can be so good and can gather you a great deal of respect x
Yes Cathy.
Oh this is so for me today!
I’ve been released from hospital after an operation on my broken wrist.
Broken because I can’t say “No”.
I was trying to do/help/teAch/clean for/shop/ arrange stuff for several people all on one day last week, all on the day before I was due to fly off to visit a family member who also needed my help.
I tripped over in the street the evening before my flight and smashed my wrist.
Fortunately I can still type slowly with one hand 🤚
But I’ve learned my lesson . Now I can’t help ANYONE, and they are having to help ME instead!
Thanks for very relevant post !
Regards. Marie.
Thanks for reading Marie.
Yes!! This is so true and so important! I’ve just started to say no more and to be firmer with my no’s and it’s hard but so vital to practice! Thank you!
Thanks for reading.
Thank you for this post, I have always been on this boat how to say no, this made me remember how I gathered all my courage to say no for the first time.
Ah glad you like the post.
I love this post so much–especially the last point you make about being in control of your own life. SO MUCH YES. You know, for years I was a yes girl and I realized that MY desires, my needs, my wishes weren’t being met. And I made a slight shift and started saying no when I felt I needed the break. That has been such a huge change in my life, and I think I’m able to present my best self when I take the time for self care 🙂
Thanks for sharing this. Stopping in today from Bloggers Supporting Bloggers <3
Thanks for stopping by Charlotte. Glad you love the post.
I’m so bad at saying no!! You are totally right – it’s something I really need to work on x
I am forever working on saying no more.
I could do with saying NO more often. I just find it so hard…
I know. It can be hard sometimes.
Sometimes you do have to say no even if u don’t feel comfortable doing so. I definitely need to start saying no more often.
Yes. It does feel good sometimes. Especially when the demands are crazy.
I agree, it saves me so much time more than anything else. Saying yes can be very positive though.
Yea it can be too. All depends.
No is a really useful word but tends to need an explanation. If I tell the children no, I always explain why so they understand that options are available to me just as much as them.
Oh yes I have to explain to my kids all the time. But I won’t explain to certain adults.
Exactly! I found that I’ve always been too reluctant to say no. And I’ve ended up regretting it so much when the onus becomes placed on me for the bulk of a group work for instance. Still something I struggle with. Love this post!
Glad you love the post. Thank you for reading.
I totally agree with this post wholeheartedly, it’s surprising how awesome saying no can be to ones peace of mind and happiness
Yes I know. Thanks x
I have certainly learned to say no more often and it does pay off!