The other day, I received an offer that sounded both fun and interesting. I started drafting a reply:
“Absolutely, that sounds great! I’m looking forward…”
Then I paused.
Something didn’t feel quite right.
I deleted the message and instead replied that I’d get back with an answer the next day.
I let it go and slept on it. When I woke up the next morning, I immediately knew what the right thing to do was. I politely turned down the offer.
It’s so easy to say yes to things, much easier than saying no. We want to be helpful, kind, reliable. We want to be seen in a good light.
But saying no is hard. It can make you feel like a self-centered douchebag.
And yet, sometimes we need to put ourselves first. Neither we nor the people around us benefit when we show up half-heartedly. It shows, it’s felt, and it leaves a mark.
Taking care of ourselves is often a way of taking care of others too. We do it because we want to do what’s right, and do it well.
A heartfelt no can be an act of kindness.