SAY "NO" MORE

Do you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or resentful?

Do you struggle to say no?

These may be signs you need better boundaries.

Are there numerous demands on your time, family, social, work, self-care, etc?

Hate to disappoint. Stretched so tight that guitar strings are looser.

Finding yourself saying yes to every single request and invitation that comes across your plate.

Guilt when you’re unable to show up 100% to what you’ve committed yourself to.

Sound familiar?

Ask yourself, do I over-commit?

Be honest, now. Think about your answer. Truthfully from your core, not from a place of “I can’t say no, they’ll be upset”.

Throw some positive selfishness into your answer.

What was your answer?

If it’s I feel great it gives me pleasure helping out where I can, then you’re all good, continue doing you.

If it's “I can’t say no, they’ll be upset” then read on! As your answer is a sign that you need to say “No” more often.

Strong well-maintained boundaries are often the solution to feeling overwhelmed and overburdened.

Yet so many of us find it difficult to say no due to fear of the possible negative reaction of the person being told no.

I lived in that prison of fear for many years, but a change had to come and when it did, my life opened up and I was free to say No, thanks, I’m good.

People often want to be liked and agreeable, which can lead them to avoid offending others. They may feel guilty or prioritise others' needs, fearing they might anger or disappoint someone. Additionally, they might think it's rude or selfish to say no.

Being helpful and looking out for others is admirable. But when the helpfulness becomes people-pleasing, we fail to attend to our lives.

Why you need to say “No” more often

You're tired and overworked, lacking time, energy, or money for things that are important. Your tired and frustrated, leaving you feeling unfulfilled. You find yourself experiencing anger or resentment, and your physical or emotional health is declining due to the stress of trying to keep up with all the commitments you’ve made.

Overcommitting drains your time, energy, and money. With our limited resources, saying yes to everything leaves no room for what’s important to you.

Professionally, the quality of your work could begin to suffer as you keep taking on more and more.

It's better to do fewer things well than many things poorly.

Our health declines if we don't manage requests, sacrifice self-care and resort to unhealthy coping strategies.

These unhealthy strategies for coping with stress could include excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, drug use, binge eating, overspending, self-isolation or taking out your frustration on others.

A lack of boundaries exposes us to manipulation because it leaves us vulnerable to others' influence and control. Without clear limits, we can be easily swayed by others' demands or expectations, often prioritising their needs over our own.

This can lead to unhealthy relationships, increased stress, and a loss of personal autonomy. Establishing and maintaining boundaries is essential for preserving our well-being and ensuring that we are treated with respect and fairness.

Saying no helps to regain control, and feel empowered, fulfilled, and healthier.

By saying No, you are saying Yes to yourself and your well-being.

Putting boundaries in place is not an easy task, but it does get easier with practice.

Hi, my name is Beverley. I'm a Boundaries Mentor and Speaker. Offering bespoke mentoring strategies to help you build your boundaries and discover the voice within. If you’re ready to take your first steps towards your transformation, DM me to book your complimentary 20-minute call to begin your journey.