If you’re anything like me you have a problem with always telling people yes.
1. Yes, I’ll stay up all night to chat, even though I was already asleep.
2. Yes, I’ll go get food with you, even though I’ve already eaten supper.
3. Yes, I’ll give you a ride even though I’m going in the opposite direction.
The list goes on and on. You “yes” people know what I’m talking about.
For me, I have this overwhelming fear of hurting people’s feelings or letting them down. I don’t want to disappoint people. So, when someone asks me if I want to sign up for a club that I’ve never heard of to help them out, chances are I will tell them yes.
And while it’s really great to help out our friends and family, I know that more than once, telling people yes has gotten me in situations where I feel like I’m stretched incredibly thin and super stressed out.
Being a “yes” girl means that your friends and family rely on you to tell them that you’ll pick up the slack. Not that you shouldn’t want to help your family, but that means that you’re not only doing your work and trying to get on top of your things, but you also have to be on top of your friends and family’s favors.
Can I tell you all a little something, all of you “yes” people?
Sometimes, you have to say “no.” I know, it stinks. I know you want to always be a people pleaser. I understand that sometimes people will look at you like you’ve slapped them across the face. You’re only human. You can’t do everything in the world. Sometimes, you need to let people understand that if you overcommit, you might be making a mistake.
Sometimes if you keep saying “yes,” you’re putting yourself in a situation that will harm both you and the person you’re telling yes.
If you feel like you can’t actually commit to someone’s favor or you’re questioning your abilities to take something on, you should at least take some time to think about the situation before you say yes. You don’t have to spout out assurances that you can do something, even if you can’t. You have limitations. Sometimes, you have admit there are only 24 hours in the day. You can’t do everything. And that’s okay.
So, my fellow “yes” people, next time someone asks you for something, sometimes, remember that it’s OK to say “no.”
