Saying "No" is Saying "Yes"
Think about this for a moment…
NO = YES
YES = NO
Have you ever experienced a time when it felt really hard to say no to someone or something, although deep down, you really wanted to?
I know I have 🙋🏼♀️
This can be especially hard and can show up more often during moments of personal growth & deep, inner change. When we are becoming more attuned to ourselves & our needs, we are in greater alignment with our truths, have greater awareness of our limitations, & can see what ignoring them costs us.
We may realize that our tendency to people please leaves our own needs and wants behind, & in the worst cases, is the root of resentful feelings & a deeply felt lack of fulfillment.
This is where boundaries come in - saying no is saying yes. But, this isn't always easy, right?
One way to help unlock this is to consider what you’re saying yes to when you’re saying no.
In other words, when we say no to something, we’re saying yes to something else, & vice versa.
It works both ways!
Here’s an example👇
Imagine you’ve had a long, exhausting week & a friend asks you to help them move on your only day off. Saying no to this request can feel uncomfortable, but by saying no, you’re actually saying yes to rest & self-care, which are crucial for your well-being. This rest can rejuvenate you, allowing you to be more present & helpful in the future.
Conversely, let’s look at another scenario where saying yes can be difficult. You’ve been working on a big project & someone offers their help. Accepting their help means saying yes to collaboration & shared workload. It also means saying no to the belief that you must do everything on your own or that asking for help is a sign of weakness.
Let’s try it on.
Ask yourself:
✨ When I say yes to something, what am I saying no to?
✨ When I say no to something, what am I saying yes to?
By reflecting on these questions, we learn to feel into our bodies & make decisions based on what truly matters to us.
As a result, it becomes easier to honour ourselves & our needs.
And when we make decisions based on our true needs, we're more likely to experience several benefits:
Less Resentment: When you say no, you’re less likely to feel resentful or overburdened.
Increased Authenticity: Your actions will be more in line with your values & feelings, helping you to live more authentically.
Better Relationships: Clear boundaries foster healthier and more respectful relationships.
Enhanced Well-Being: Prioritizing self-care and personal needs leads to better mental, emotional, & physical health.
This practice is a huge part of showing up authentically. When our words & actions are congruent with our thoughts, values, & feelings, we feel more at home in our bodies & experience greater peace & harmony overall.
This then allows us to create space for mutual support & understanding to foster relationships that honor our individual quests for wholeness & build authentic connections.
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