Okay to say, “NO”

A young woman I know told me she'd said yes to seven things last week and only wanted to do four of them.

"I didn't want to disappoint anyone," she said.
Here's the thing I wish someone had told me at her age: a boundary isn't a wall. It's information. It tells people what you need.
Guilt after saying no doesn't mean you did something wrong. It usually means you did something new.
A few kind ways to say it:
"I can't make that work, but thank you for thinking of me."
"I need to think about it. I'll get back to you tomorrow."
"That's not something I can take on right now."
No essay. No apology tour.
Parents and mentors: when a young person tells you no, try hearing it as practice, not defiance. They're building a muscle they'll need for the rest of their lives.
What's a "no" you're proud of?
#Boundaries #SocialEmotionalLearning #YoungAdultMentalHealth #Resilience #AnchorPoint