Hey friends! Yup, it’s November, a time for gratitude, counting your blessings, getting ready for all the holidays, getting stressed, cranky, anxious, and potentially sleep deprives, right? Do you often feel like the busy season kicks off and you are exhausted and ready for it all to be over because you are spread too thin? Here’s how to have a great No-vember!
No is a Sentence
Believe it or not, no, is a sentence. It requires no further explanation yet most of us can hardly stop ourselves from launching into a complete dissertation. It’s not necessary and it’s not needed. Time to train those around you to get used to hearing no without further adieu.
I believe we launch into an explanation because we feel the need to please. We hate to let others down. I get it, listen, I don’t like letting people down either. But I also know that when I say yes FULLY then it’s better for everyone. Let go of the guilt and say no to things that steal your peace or don’t serve your purpose.
How about we say NO to overscheduling ourselves? Say no to overcommitting ourselves? Do we have to do it all? No, no we do not. Pick and choose because when you say no to something you are saying yes to something else.
But, what if…
Listen, if you say no and nothing else and the person then asks why – tell them! I am not a proponent of being brutally honest and hurting someone’s feelings but I AM a proponent of taking are of YOU. So, if you are asked, then feel free to say something like it’s not a good time for me or even I am overscheduled and trying to enjoy the season as much as I can. Come up with a few clever statements – no fibbing allowed. Just be honest, you’ll be surprised at how many people empathize with you and wish they were doing the same thing.
I used to feel that any party I was invited to I should go to. Big mistake. I realized I was often the person who felt left out or lonely in a crowded room. The bottom line? I don’t always enjoy big parties and I have realized I prefer smaller, more intimate gatherings. The good news is that I rarely get invited anymore and I feel just fine about that. I honestly do.
This is a good time to review what you prioritize and make sure that how you spend your time aligns with those priorities. Don’t serve on committees you don’t care about (they will and can find someone else), stop volunteering for things that zap your energy. You cannot pour from an empty cup – remember that!
Tell me in the comments what you will say NO to this month! I’d love to know!
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- How to Have a Great “NO-vember”
- Frighteningly Good Friday Favorites
- October Closet Additions – What I Bought!
- Stop Limiting Yourself
- Friday Favorites – Worth the Wait
I have been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor since 1997. I do not currently practice as I work in school counseling but I’ll never let my license expire. My Monday posts have a little more of a mental health theme designed to help you think a little differently. While I am certainly not dispensing advice or treatment, I do hope these posts help you. Initially I started blogging as a creative outlet and as a way to empower women in midlife and beyond to dress and feel like the best version of themselves everyday. I have come to realize that a big part of that is how we feel about life circumstances. Hence the reason for these posts!
