Being a ‘yes’ woman might be a socially rewarding experience but it will hardly make people really appreciate you. You’re wondering how that’s possible? Think of it this way: being readily available, even with plans that make you uncomfortable will only make others around you treat you how you might treat yourself — poorly. Girl, if you don’t respect your own feelings, why will everyone else?
Ever since I’ve started practising the art of being able to say ‘no’, I feel like I have been able to retain my sanity a little longer than usual. Oftentimes we go ahead with a plan only because we cannot deal with the consequences of rejection. Time has come to accept it, move on and watch how your life changes. Here are a few solid reasons why saying ‘no’ is a secret talent we all need to imbibe.
1. Saying no to discomfort
When a situation is actively stressing you out like being invited over to a boy’s house, going for a party you don’t want to, having your best friend crack jokes at your expense, saying no is a good way of understanding where you’re operating from rather than just giving in. Everyone has their own struggles but undermining your own just to feel accepted is only going to make things worse.
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2. Saying no to pressure
Friends, family and pretty much the rest of society will have you convinced that X is good for you but what might actually be good for you is Y. For you, X might be pathetic. Pressure is the new constant of urban life. However, to go by what others say is a gross miscalculation of your own potential. Say no.
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3. Say no to FOMO
How many times have we all said yes just because we didn’t want to miss out? Like Naina says in Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, “jitna bhi try karlo Bunny, life mein kuch na kuch toh chutega hi”. Ever since social media actively effed our mental health, you’re more likely to feel FOMO than ever before but prioritizing a party, a meet-up, can only make you more insecure. Remember, kuch na kuch toh life mein chutega hi! Enjoy the other bits
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4. Dealing with the no
Maybe saying ‘no’ feels like too much of a burden to you. Well, that’s the thinking we need to change here. Saying no to something or someone should never feel like pressure, it should feel like liberation. There’s no harm in rejection. If the other person makes you feel that way then the fault lies with them and not you. This is the acceptance we need to strive for.
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Lead image credit: T-Series Films
