How often do you say 'yes' when you really mean 'no'?
We tell ourselves it’s the easier option. But over time, those small yeses can add up—leaving us drained, overcommitted, or resentful.
Let's take a look through the lens of needs.
💭 Introduction: Saying ‘yes’ when you actually mean ‘no’ is so easy to do—but it comes at a cost.
💭 Main Tip: Every time you say yes to something you don’t really want to do, you’re saying no to meeting your own needs—whether that’s for rest, autonomy, creativity or joy. Learning to say no with care and clarity is really helpful.
💭 Example: Instead of automatically accepting a non-essential meeting invitatioin, you could say:
"I really want to support on this project, and I also need to protect my energy levels when things are so busy. Could we cover this in an email update instead?"
💭 Over to You: This week, if you feel pressured to say yes, pause and ask yourself: What need am I leaving unmet by agreeing to this? Notice whether this awareness shifts your choices.
💭 Closing: Setting boundaries isn’t about rejecting others—it’s about recognising and respecting your own needs. Let me know how you get on with this one!
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