The Fine Art of Saying No

How to release guilt and indecision

One of the most challenging lessons for highly sensitive and empathic souls is to learn how to say no. Because we’re conscientious, compassionate givers, saying no often feels harsh and unkind.

Yet, you’ll receive requests from others regularly, for things you want to take on and for a lot of stuff you just don’t.

When we’re asked, highly sensitive and empathic people often traverse an inner, rocky path of indecision and guilt. We go back and forth in our mind. Well, they’re a nice person or they need my help, maybe I should. But I don’t really want to, does that make me selfish?

I’ve even had coaching clients ask me if they’re turning into a narcissist by saying no and holding respectful boundaries. Dear ones, you are not.

It can feel foreign to choose what you need and want first.

Especially if you grew up in a family of origin, in which you often played the role of caregiver; smoothing over or rescuing others from their problems.

This behavior you learned as a child was not your fault. We all bring certain patterns forward into our adult lives. What opens space for change, is to begin observing if you have a pattern of always saying yes.