Soft Boundaries: Why Saying No is the Ultimate Act of Self-Care

Hi softies 🤍✨
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed the holidays; the rest, the food, the laughter, or even the quiet moments that came with it. As many of us head back to work and the "hustle" starts again, I want to remind you to carry your soft life with you into the office, the studio, or wherever your journey takes you this week and this year. Even in busy seasons, living a soft life is still allowed.

For today’s episode, the word of the day is NO. We’re leaning into this word that feels heavy but offers so much freedom.

A lot of people struggle with saying no, and honestly, I’m one of them. I’ve been thinking about where this comes from, and I believe my culture, or maybe even my community, plays a role. Everyone is taught to help, to show up, to be available. And while that comes from a good place, it can sometimes make saying no feel like you’re being selfish or unkind.

You don’t want to hurt people’s feelings, so you say yes.
But in the process, you inconvenience yourself.

The truth is, sometimes saying no won’t sit well with others. It might make you look like the “bad person”. But if helping someone will stretch you too thin, disrupt your peace, or put you in a difficult position, then choosing yourself is not wrong.

This new year, people will come with different reasons.
Some will say, “Aren’t we friends?”
Others will say, “But it’s a new year, you’re supposed to help.”

And while it might feel uncomfortable at first, I’ve learnt that saying no can save you from a lot of unnecessary stress and trouble. Boundaries don’t mean you care less, they mean you’re learning how to care better, including for yourself.

So here’s your gentle reminder for the year ahead:
If saying yes will cost you your peace, it’s okay to say no, and as Anne Lamott said "NO" is a complete sentence

Till we meet again,
remember to live life softly 🤍🌿