The Power to Say NO
We have just had a season of YES.
Yes to family & friends visiting, YES to buying gifts, YES to eating more, YES to staying up later than usual and YES to changing our routines. This can be a thrilling change of pace, but it can also be exhausting and depleting. If you add the fact that you are already feeling those things as a caregiver, then it can be really tough. Often our care receivers and aging family members feel fatigue even more when we are so busy.
“No.” It can be a complete sentence. It can be a gift that you give yourself at a time when you are already doing so much.
Here are some statements that you may want to utilize as you start this New Year of 2023. You may find that your enjoyment increases as you bet- ter learn how to use “No” to help man-age stress and maintain boundaries.
Ways to say No:
- No, it would be tough to fit in my schedule.
- No, I'm afraid I won’t be able to do that – you will have to ask some- one else.
- No, I’m sorry. I can’t do that.
- No, I can’t help with the whole project, but I can do part of it. Would that be helpful?
- No, that’s not something I feel comfortable taking on, but thank you for thinking of me.
- No, thank you.
- No.
Saying ‘No’ isn’t always negative, it can relieve some stress in your life and create structure and routine.
Try it!
