The Joy of Saying “No”

Let’s chat about the very powerful word No. You may have heard this before, No is a complete sentence. No is the kind of word you have to say with confidence and be steadfast about when you express it. Consider No as a best friend to prioritizing your personal joy because the word enables you to sift through what and who are not adding to your joy. Specifically, there is a depth to the word No that deserves more of our attention. That depth is the joy of saying No, being comfortable with it and adamant about it. Why? No is a challenging word for people due to the fear of losing something or someone - even at the expense of people losing or hurting themselves. 

Reframing No as a means to protect your joy and well-being will shift you internally. The more you use the word with intention and grace, the more you stand in your No authority. If you plan on tip-toeing through life by saying yes to everything and everyone, aiming to people please. Then expect to compromise for most of your life and arrive at the end of it wishing you had said No more often. A sibling continuously asks you for a favor or support yet it is not reciprocated, say No to alleviate the stress and strain. Your manager continues to add tasks to your plate that is already full, say No with tact to avoid becoming burnt-out. It is worth repeating that you are responsible for your joy. Developing a healthy relationship with the word No is saying YES to more joy.

Joy Gem: “Give yourself the permission to say No to anything that makes you unhappy or drains your energy.”