No.

It’s a complete sentence and we seem to forget how powerful it can be. I know I do WAY too often.

It’s still a process like everything else is in my life but I’ve reached a point where I can’t say yes to everything and every opportunity. Not because I’m too good for something, but simply for my SANITY. The past few years post-college has been amazing and I’ve learned a hell of a lot - but there’s a few things I could have turned down. Honestly, I don’t regret those moments because they happened for a reason. But once I was in the midst of it all I would be so frustrated with myself for causing stress that could have been avoided all together.

I’ve always been a stressed and anxious being. Like literally ask my parents, I was stressing about life in the 4th grade😂🤷🏾‍♀️ So when I put too much on my plate I feel it - Neck aches, back pain, headaches, lack of sleep, the list goes on. I went through it a lot the past couple years and looking back I could have avoided most of those moments. But I got caught up in the college mindset where every opportunity was a privilege (still is but I’m trying to make a point here) so I took the risk without much thought. I was just happy to work on something and learn more about myself in a new environment. While it helped me build connections and skills during that chapter, that strategy did nothing but drain me mentally and physically during this stage.

The first step to change is admitting the problem and I’ve got that part down! At this point when an opportunity presents itself I really have to take a step back and look at the bigger picture and see where it fits in. If I can’t connect the dots + I’ve already reached capacity then I have to say NO.

Have you ever said YES when you really should have said NO? What did you learn from that experience?