2-Minute Tip: Just say “No”

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in wanting to make other people happy or wanting them to like us that we do things we don’t really want to do. We do things that aren’t in our best interest because we don’t want to upset or disappoint someone.

I get it. I used to live for the approval of others. I also used to be really unhappy and stressed. I felt like I never had time for myself or to pursue the things I wanted to. I was too busy trying to be everything to everyone. It wasn’t until much later when I started to set and enforce boundaries in my relationships that I realized how much people had been taking advantage of me. All those “friends” seemed to disappear when I started to be more mindful of how I spent my time and energy.

At first I was pretty sad. But with time I began to replace those old relationships with new relationships that were mutually fulfilling. And not just dependent on me doing favors or giving of myself with no return. If you’re feeling drained by your relationships, remember:

• Don’t do something that isn’t in your best interest to try to please someone else.
• Set boundaries and don’t feel bad for sticking to them.
• If you don’t consider your best interest, no one else will either.
• You’re the only one who can determine what balance looks like in your life.

Good luck! You’re worth it.