Are you a ‘Yes’ woman?

Are you a woman has trouble saying the word ‘no’?

Do you find yourself stressed out and overwhelmed with too many projects and commitments?

Do you sometimes feel resentful that others aren’t stepping up to help?

Do you worry that you won’t be liked or will be judged if you don’t say ‘yes’?

If you can say ‘yes’ to most of these questions, chances are you are a ‘Yes’ woman.

I was a ‘Yes’ woman for many years, always eager to help and reveling in the praise I received. There came a point where I was tired, resentful, and completely overwhelmed. I was no longer feeling joy for my good deeds. Both I and my family were suffering because I was doing too much.

Never will I forget when I decided to start saying ‘no’. It was very difficult at first. I found myself trying to explain why I was saying ‘no’. I felt as if I were obligated to offer up a justifiable reason for not saying yes. It was quite awkward for a while. Finally, I realized no explanation was necessary. The person I was saying ‘no’ to probably wasn’t expecting one. I got to the point where I was comfortable just saying something like “sorry, I can’t this time” and leaving it at that.

These days if I am making 150 cupcakes for a school dance, it’s because I truly want to and have the time to do so. I can do it with joy in my heart, instead of resentment. Have I lost my Superwoman status? I don’t think so and can also add Happywoman to my long list of titles.

I am certainly not telling you that you shouldn’t say ‘yes’ and help out when you are able. Simply take a moment and evaluate your motives for saying ‘yes’ all the time. Saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ should not define who you are. I encourage you to simply find a balance by kindly saying ‘no’ sometimes. It has worked wonders for me.

Are you a ‘Yes’ woman?