“No.”
It’s a two letter word, and one of the simplest words in the English language. Yet, it’s often the hardest word that you’ll ever have to say.
Becoming an adult is one of the scariest, most important, and most exciting time in every person’s life. You’re learning who you want to become and how you want to get there. Because of this, it’s easy to be persuaded or guilted into doing things you don’t want to do. It’s probably because you feel some sort of false obligation.
You take the extra shift for your co-worker. You finish the last part of the group project…even though you basically did the whole thing on your own already. You go out with your friends even when you feel like staying in and watching Netflix.
What’s the moral of the story? It’s okay to say “no.”
In fact, saying “no” can be your greatest weapon. You’re in charge of your life, and saying “yes” and “no” where you see fit plays vital role in that. Don’t be a push over. Don’t do something just because that’s what your mom, dad, or sister would do. Do it because it will make you a better person, and because you want to do it. Whatever the circumstance may be, if you feel like saying “no”, say “no” and stand your ground.
It’s hard. It’s actually really, really, really hard sometimes to say “no.” You don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings or ruin a plan, but overworking yourself because you don’t want to upset people can be self-sabotage.
Successful people don’t go around doing every single favor someone asks of them, they pick and choose. In order to become a strong adult, you need to learn that saying “no” isn’t going to kill anyone. It may disappoint someone, or make them mad, but learning where to draw the line is going to help you. It’s going to help you grow into who you want to become, and it will get you there a lot quicker. Doing a million things half-heartedly is way less fulfilling than if you immerse yourself in a handful of things that you genuinely care about.
It’s not saying don’t do your eight page paper on human genetics because you think it’s a waste of time. It’s also not saying you’re too good to help other people. It’s saying don’t spread yourself too thin, and know your worth.
Push through your tough classes, because you want that degree. Go out with your friends on an occasional Thursday, because you want crazy memories to look back on. Say “yes” to an adventure that you normally wouldn’t go on, because you want to experience something new. And definitely lend a hand to others when you can, because everyone needs help sometimes.
Say “yes” when you want to, but don’t say “yes” because you feel like you have to.
You’ll thank yourself someday for closing certain doors, so that the right ones could open.
Image Credits: Tickets