It's Ok to say "No."

“Can you _________?”

“Would you ________?”

“Do you mind ________?”

“Hey, I have a favor to ask…”

I want to assure you, that it’s ok to make the answer no. If you’re physically tired. If you’re busy. If you’re already overwhelmed. If you’re stressed. If you’re emotionally rung out. If you’re planning some time just for you. If you just don’t want to. It’s ok to say no. You know when you have enough spoons to take on one more thing (Miserandino, 2003). There are countless ways to say no to that one more thing. 


“Not now.”

“Not this time.”

“You’re so kind to think of me, but I can’t.” 

“I’m learning to limit my commitments.”

These are just a sampling of ways to say no (Diaz-Ortiz, 2013). The point here is to know yourself, and know your limitations. Your first priority is you. Even if the conflict is a quiet night at home, you know if that’s what you need in order to be healthy mentally, emotionally, and physically. Be kind to yourself, say no when you need to. 



The point here is to know yourself, and know your limitations. Your first priority is you. Even if the conflict is a quiet night at home, you know if that’s what you need in order to be healthy mentally, emotionally, and physically. Be kind to yourself, say no when you need to. 


References

Diaz-Ortiz, C. (2013). 99 Ways to say no. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20130501190655-52397036-100-ways-to-say-no

Miserandino, C. (2003). The spoon theory. Retrieved from https://butyoudontlooksick.com