159. just say no

We are often quick to say yes, even when it is accompanied with vague attraction, and apprehension. Not wanting to miss out. Not wanting to disappoint. We acquiesce. We say yes because we want to appease those around us, when in reality it is taking precious time away from the purposeful work we’d rather be doing.

Wasting time doing things we don’t like, to prove ourselves to people we don’t care for, and an expectation to get things we don’t need, will never serve us. We don’t say no because we want to be liked, or worse yet, to fuel a version of ourselves we don’t really even enjoy. We’re afraid to say no because we fear the consequences of being ourselves. Yet, overcoming this fear is the first step to becoming who we want to be. In doing so, we’re not sharing time with a version of ourselves we no longer wish to be, which allows us to redefine ourselves moving forward.

When you decide to say no, you may lose friends, and people will say you’ve changed, but that is the whole point of living. As we go through this life we are supposed to change. It is part of growth. To be who we want to be, we need the freedom, the time, and the support from people who share our passions, not take away from them. Don’t be afraid to say no, so that you can build the life you want.