This past week, I have inevitably come face to face with what others have been warning me about since the dusk of my freshman year in college. I have taken on too much. I have over extended myself. What with my sorority, 17 credits worth of classes, clubs upon clubs upon clubs, holding a leadership position in three of those clubs, volunteer work, two writing jobs, studying, and every other possible responsibility a college kid might happen upon, I have been quite busy. What I have learned from coming to a small college (other than a bunch of really great and wonderful and life changing lessons that will always be near and dear to me) is that there will always be someone who wants something from you.

And that lesson has brought me to the realization that seems pretty strange to have lived 18 years without knowing: it is okay to say no sometimes. Let me get my point across clearer. I have always known that it is okay to say no to people pressuring me to do things I didn't want to do, substance wise. But what I didn't know is that there isn't much of a difference between people pressuring you to, let's say drink when you didn't want to compared to people pressuring you to do whatever else. It is still someone pressuring you to do something you don't particularly want to do. So, if you are ever so inclined to be a perpetual "yes man," here is a list of things that it is definitely okay to say no to.

1. It is 100% acceptable to say no to job offers you don't want to take.

For whatever reason. You don't need to take every single opportunity that comes your way. If you are happy with the way things are now, let things stay the way they are. If you grow to be unhappy, you can change. Everyday has to potential to be the start of the rest of your life.

2. You can say no to letting people into your life.

This might sound like I am advocating for you to detach yourself from the rest of civilization. That's not what I'm doing. I am saying that you choose who you want to be in your life. If you have been hurt by someone before and they want to be a part of your life again, you have to option to say no.

3. You don't have to take everyone else's advice.

Everyone will have something to say about your life and what you are doing with it if you let them. Everyone likes to feel superior to someone else. That's what humans do. So people will always try to give you advice or self improvement tips. But if you feel you are doing right in the world, keep doing right in the world. You are in a good spot. You know what's best for you. You're smart. You'll figure it out.