Say ‘NO’, Please!
Simple word but hard to say. Yes, it is ‘No’. Some people are actually struggling to answer ‘No’ towards every invitation or command that comes from someone else. The fear of feeling selfish, disappointing others, being labelled as arrogant and unfriendly are the reasons some people find it difficult to reject it.
However, no matter how difficult it is, it is imperative to say ‘No’, especially to all things we really can’t and don’t want to do. Although it will be very difficult at first, but there are many advantages if we are willing to try to say it. Here are some benefits of saying ‘No’:
1. Prioritize yourself
Love yourself before you love others. This is as important as prioritizing yourself first. If you ask why we have to prioritize ourselves first, the answer is because we have been able to struggle up to this point. Therefore, we do not need to be too hard on ourselves. Thank your body, thank yourself. Sometimes it is okay to be selfish for what we deserve.
2. Get rid of toxic people
We cannot deny that not all people really need our help. Whether consciously or not, toxic people will always exist by only taking advantage of the goodness they get from other people. Let’s say ‘No’ towards them. Do not let them take any chance since we are too precious for it.
3. Be more focused
Saying ‘No’ and refusing other people’s requests can make us focus more on our own business, especially when we are busy and under deadlines. We must realize that the time we live is ours and we have the right to determine what to focus on first. Do not let all our affairs and responsibilities get neglected just for the sake of trying to satisfy other people. Everyone has their own focus and yours is yours.
4. Reduce stress and anxiety
One of the most important of saying ‘No’ is to reduce stress and anxiety. Every time we say ‘Yes’ for something we really want to say ‘No’, we must feel burdened with responsibility that comes next. Although we still do it, it will be hard to do it seriously and everything will just end up with no good results.
In addition to the benefits above, saying ‘No’ is also a form of self-integrity in which we are expected to have strong moral principles that shows our own character. Do not let us lose our self-integrity by obeying others too much. Listen to yourself and say ‘No!’
-Northern Ingo-
