I'm not sure if we're addicted to the amazing feeling of helping someone, simply feel too bad for turning someone away, or are too easily manipulated, but some people just cannot say no to someone who asks for help. This could be a manager asking us to come into work, a coworker asking us to cover their shift, a friend asking us to help with their homework, someone asking for a ride, asking for us to water their plants, etc. We cannot say no. Why is it so difficult for us to say the two letter word?

We love to help people. We do it as often as possible, but sometimes when someone asks us for help, it puts a strain on us. We feel like we can't say no to someone asking for help, so we say yes. Even if we requested the entire day off, even if we're already feeling sick, even if we have a full schedule that day.

We tell ourselves "It'll be fine", "I'll make it work", "I'll stay up late to finish it all tonight". We will put everything aside just to help someone else. Not only can it hurt us physically, it can hurt us mentally. Sometimes we know for the sake of our sanity and our own health, we should say no. But it's too hard and we feel too mean saying no. We think when we say no to someone, we're letting them down.

Sometimes, we really need to say no. If we're out of town and truly can't make it into work or honestly can't water your plants, we are forced to say the dreaded two letter word. It pains us because we feel like we've let that person down. The only thing that makes us feel a little better is the fact that the favor was impossible for us to do. It's not like we had a choice to say no, we had to.

On a rare occasion, we actually build up the courage to say no to someone. We say it in the politest way possible, maybe say sorry 19 times in a row, but we've finally said no. We may feel bad at first, but then we feel just a little bit proud for not giving in (like we always do).

And, after our mini victory for saying no... somehow the person still gets us to do it. They could keep pushing us because they know we hardly ever say no. They could keep pushing us because they know we already feel a little guilty. Or they could keep pushing us because they're desperate for help. So, they get us to do it after we already told them no.

As I said, it is great to help others and the feeling that comes along with it is amazing and completely worth it. But sometimes, I wish that I was that person that was so blunt and honest. I wish I could say no and stick to it. You should help others when you can, but you also cannot neglect yourself.

Don't let someone make you feel bad for saying no. It is always your decision. Don't let someone make you feel like you are obligated to say yes or do something for them. I think a lot of us forget that we need to take care of ourselves before we take care of others, and we need to make sure we say yes to ourselves before we say yes to others.