Standing up to people can be a difficult thing. Saying "no" to people comes naturally for some, but to others, it can be one of the hardest things to do -- and I am one of those people. Being a people pleaser has its ups and downs. While it brings us so much joy to make people happy, it can be a draining task; emotionally, mentally and sometimes even physically. It can cause an unbelievable amount of stress sometimes. We're afraid of speaking up and speaking our minds because it might upset someone or cause a problem. We're afraid to say "no" to people when we really want to. And I mean really, really want to. Some people really need to be told where they can shove it! I am not usually the one to tell them. That's starting to change.

All those years of letting people walk all over me because I was the nice and quiet girl that would let them take advantage of me have worn me down. I'm done. I can't put myself through that anymore. I know I'm not the only one out there feeling this way. Although I still have to make sure that I do my best to please people at my job because I work retail customer service, I don't know that I can continue to do it in other aspects of my life.

I have already started standing up for myself. I managed to tell someone that was once a big part of my life, "No, you cannot come back into my life and expect things to be the same," and dang it felt good. It is hard to constantly be let down and hurt by someone because you keep allowing them to waltz back in and continue where they left off. When someone betrays your trust and then tries to stroll back into your life like nothing happened, it is okay to say no. You do not have to forgive them or let them be a part of your life anymore. They had their chance to be in your life, and they messed up. Their loss. Life goes on.

I have to remind myself that it's okay to speak my mind; that I have an opinion that matters and it might just be the same as that of someone else who is afraid to speak up. I have learned that some people actually want to know my opinions, or what I'm thinking, and that's a whole new world for me. I am working on not being afraid to tell people what I think because it might offend them.

No matter how hard you try not to, you are going to offend someone at some point whether it's by saying something or just staying quiet about something. So, no matter how much it scares you to speak up, do it. If you don't want to take someone's crap anymore, don't. Stand your ground. You're not here to make everyone else happy, you're here to have your own happiness. If people don't like that, then they are not the people you need in your life. And, if they don't like to hear the word "no," then they need a reality check because life is going to hit them pretty hard one day.

So, don't be afraid of the word "no." It isn't as scary as you think it is, I promise! It can actually feel really good to say.