Over the last year or so, I’ve seen a lot of bloggers talk about why saying no is important. It’s so easy to get caught up in saying yes to any and every opportunity that comes your way regardless of whether or not it makes sense for you, especially in the world of blogging. So for the most part, I agree. Those points are completely valid, for people who actually say yes to things.
I, on the other hand, am all too happy to say no any and everything. It’s like my superpower, albeit one that doesn’t do me much good. But, I’ll talk about it anyway, out loud.
I’ve become so used to saying no that everyone expects it of me now. It’s basically my default setting and my friends are all used to this crazy quirk of mine. For a while, it was even a running joke among us but now it’s just sad.
At first, I thought it was just how I am. I’m an introvert and interacting with new people in new situations is one of the most draining and mentally exhausting things I’ve ever done. But over the last year or so, as I’ve become more reclusive and unwilling to experience new things, I’ve had to acknowledge that it goes way deeper than that. Honestly, I probably need some sort of therapy. But let’s not make this post that much of a downer.
For now, I’ve decided to try saying yes to new things more often. Whether it’s something big like taking a trip out of town or something small like hanging out with friends of friends. Obviously, this isn’t going to be easy. I can’t turn years of noes into yeses just like that. It’s going to take some work.
I guarantee there’ll be days where saying yes feels impossible. But hopefully, instead of slipping up and reverting to saying no, I’ll remember why I wanted to start on this say yes journey in the first place.
3 Reasons to Say Yes to Things that Scare You
1. You learn new things about yourself
I’ve always had a very firm grasp of who I am and what I like. I’m so set in my ways that I actually avoid entire genres of movies and TV shows – usually comedies – because I’m positive I’ll hate them. Isn’t that crazy?
But twice over the last month I ended up watching shows I previously avoided like the plague and I absolutely loved them. I’m looking at you, Grace & Frankie.
So I’ve learned my lesson. The next time someone recommends a TV show, movie or other new (legal) activity to me, I plan to give it a fighting chance before writing it off.
2. You actually live your life
I moved to Canada almost 6 years now and I haven’t been to most of the major tourist attractions. That’s right I’ve never set food in the CN Tower, the aquarium, Wonderland or the Toronto Islands. Heck, I only made it to Niagara Falls because my father dragged me there a couple years ago when he came to visit. And I’ve never been further from Waterloo than Toronto.
That’s insane, right? What have I even been doing for the last 6 years? I did basically the same things day in day out without even consciously realising it. And that definitely isn’t living, just existing.
3. You overcome your fears
When I was younger I’d be open to pretty much everything unless there were snakes involved. This post was actually entitled ‘why you should say yes more’ because I couldn’t fathom the fact that I have fears.
But the more I wrote the clearer it became that I say no so often because I’m afraid of basically everything. Somewhere between leaving secondary school and graduating from university, I created an ever-shrinking comfort zone that I’m deathly afraid of leaving. And that has to stop.
What about you?
- What’s the last ‘scary’ thing you said yes to?
- Why else should we say yes to things that scare us?
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Yea, yea, you shouldn’t say NO to everything nor yes to everything! It’s that mix of yes and no so you feel good but also challenged and able to grow!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Coconut Matcha Ice Cream
Ooh I love this! As an introvert who scares easily, it’s all too easy to just say no. But it’s when you say yes that oyu truly grow!
YEASSSS!!! When I started doing this a few years ago, I found myself opening up to so many new opportunities. It was like a whole new world opened to me. Now I have trouble saying no!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…Why You Need A Healthy Approach To Weight Loss & Why The Biggest Loser Is Wrong
This reminds me of the movie “Yes Man”… but I totally agree that saying yes to things is what allows you live your life. Some of the experiences might not be too great, but bad or good, we learn something along the way and grow as people. Last scary thing I did… probably agree to write a cookbook 😆 It’s been a crazy amount of work, but at the same thing it’s taught me just how much I can accomplish when I set my mind to it.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…chocolate, coffee, puppies, & books (ToL#183)
YES, I can assent heartily to all of these sentiments. When I’ve gone and traveled internationally, it has really grown me and taken me out of my comfort zone and pressed me to trust God even more. I love seeing so many of my blogger friends constantly challenge themselves, and they challenge me in turn.
Love this! I said yes to a lot of things I usually wouldn’t this year and you’re right, I learned a lot about myself
Carmy recently posted…When You Don’t Recognize Yourself
I have kind of been living my life this for the past few months. No is so much easier than getting up and getting dressed for an event or an outing. I told myself it was because it was winter. Reality check, it’s May and I still feel this way. I really need to start saying yes much more to get myself out and about again. Great post!
Omg are you me?! Like seriously, you’re inside my head! We should be introverts together and get coffee sometime.
Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…Mango Coconut Overnight Oats
I can definitely relate to this. Especially in the past year, I have found myself passing up opportunities to hang out with friends, convincing myself that I would have a better time at home by myself. When I do end up going, I always find something good in the experience. It is comforting to know that I’m not the only one who faces this struggle.
P.S. New Girl is the best TV show in the entire world. I limit myself to one episode a night on Netflix so I can savor it!
Maddie recently posted…Honey Pistachio Protein Bites
Are you in my brain? Getting ready to graduate college, I keep looking back on everything I skipped for Netflix and just wonder why. So happy that you’re opening yourself to new experiences and sights- especially those spots in Canada! Scary as it is, it at least settles the uncertainty. Thanks for sharing; I’d become a little complacent myself.
I love this! I am super introverted too, and sometimes it becomes habit to just say no!
Shannon recently posted…Steel Cut Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
yes! get out of your comfort zone! on my list this year is sky diving!
So glad you’re taking this approach! I most recently said yes to going hiking, which is happening this weekend. I’ve never hiked before. I’ve never required a backpack with snacks and first aid that wasn’t something for girl scouts. And I’m not even sure what to wear, lol. But by golly, I said yes and I’m honestly super looking forward to it! Who knows maybe this will become a new hobby that my boyfriend and I partake in regularly.
Christina Bauer recently posted…Strawberries & Cream Breakfast Quinoa
Ahh this is such good advice. I’m also guilty of not getting out of my comfort zone in my city. I should be more intentional about that!
If it wasn’t impossible I’d assume we’re one and the same person. Because hi, you literally wrote about my life and thoughts. Thank you for letting me know I’m not alone and also another push to say yes more often. I actually did a bit more in 2015 – traveling a little and learning that life really does start outside of my comfort zone. But it’s been months now and I’m i dire need of spicing up my life again.
Miss Polkadot recently posted…Healthy Fruit and Nut Quinoa Clusters [gluten-free + vegan]
Are you in my brain? I am an introvert, and while I’m perfectly happy to stay in for the night (or, hey, the whole weekend) I have been making an effort to do things a little more spontaneously and a little more outside my comfort zone. My goal is to, at least once a week, do something that’s scary – or even just different. Maybe it’s as small as buying new produce to play with or trying out a show I think I’ll hate. Maybe it’s going to a random event solo. Whatever it is, it helps you grow a little bit!
(And Grace & Frankie makes me laugh so much. Love.)
I was so skeptical about my health that I stopped paying attention to my well-being and changes in the body. I can be classified as an old age. And at another routine check-up of my doctor, he said that I had a suspicion of Parkinson’s disease. The news didn’t comfort me, he didn’t give me an unambiguous answer. I wasn’t going to let it all go, because the prognosis wasn’t positive. My salvation was the clinic https://www.startstemcells.com/ . because they gave me a checkup and immediately started treatment. I feel great now.
Astert recently posted…Привет, мир!
Absolutely right! Do not be afraid to engage in new activities for yourself, even if it seems that it is too difficult. For a long time I was afraid to start surfing, I constantly thought that I would not be able to master it. But the cool equipment from easy-surfshop https://easy-surfshop.com/ , the instructor, as well as a strong desire, helped me overcome my fear and master the board!