This is something that I've personally struggled with over the years and have noticed that by saying yes to every opportunity that came my way, I began to feel overwhelmed and tired overtime.
Saying "no" is an important part of our self-care routine. Sometimes all we want to do is say yes to everything to avoid disappointing others. We might feel guilty saying n
o and believe that we're hurting others by doing so.
Saying yes on an ongoing basis can have a negative impact on our own self-care and eventually lead to us being dragged in all directions and burning out.
Saying "No" in a confident manner is a form of assertive communication. Check out this link for 20 interesting ways to practice saying "no".
And remember, if you can't look after your own self-care needs, you'll struggle to look after others.
Michelle is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist who supports people to develop their assertive communication skills through practical role plays and goal setting. Michelle can explore your self-care needs and help you to develop a healthy routine that will support you to be your best self.