Free To Say No
Do you ever find yourself saying, “Yes,” when you mean “No?” Do you ever worry that if you say “No” that you will hurt someone’s feelings or will be judged by others?
Today on the podcast we are talking about how to feel comfortable saying “No.”
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Has this ever happened to you? As the word, “Yes,” leaves your mouth, something inside you tightens and contracts. Your mouth is saying, “Yes,” and your body is saying, “No.” I’m sure it has. It has to me.
We’re conditioned to say “Yes,” to be agreeable and helpful. Women, especially, are conditioned to say, “Yes.” Taking a pause and taking the request inside is the first step in breaking the habit of always saying, “Yes.” Once we take a request inside, we can get a handle on it. How does it feel? How does it sit with us? Does the appropriate response come clearly? Or is there confusion? We can ask the little question, “Why am I saying “Yes?” And, I share with you some of my experiences and how difficult it can be to honestly and clearly say, “No.”
I offer some guidance on how to investigate a request, to help you to clearly decide whether “No,” is the appropriate answer. Saying “No” is a mindfulness practice. It asks us to pay attention in the moment; it asks us come from a place of equanimity; it asks us to be self-compassionate and true to our core values.
This week, practice feeling comfortable saying, “No” from the heart. When you are tempted to say “Yes,” because it is what you usually do, notice how it feels inside. Check to see how it fits next to your values. Check to see if you are pausing long enough to fully consider saying “No.” Say “No” with surety and kindness. And, after you say “No” sense how that feels in your body and let me know how it goes. You can leave me a note here.
Thanks for tuning in today. I am grateful you are here and I’m grateful for the people behind the scenes who make this podcast possible.
Everyone who is a member of the podcast on Patreon;
Gorgias Romero for original music, audio engineering and production;
Bill Rafferty for technical web support;
Allie Allen for logo and podcast cover design; and
Margaret Haas for announcing the show.
Be well. Be mindful.
DISCLAIMER
The content in the podcast and on this webpage is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical or health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice and guidance of your health professional.
