If you are kind, generous, ambitious, driven, or perfectionistic…. (you know, like me), then you probably have the same problem I do.

You have a problem saying the word No.

Maybe you see the word “No” as something negative. Maybe you think it sounds mean or

selfish.

Maybe you see it as your job to keep everyone happy all the time, and saying “No” sounds like the surefire way to disappoint them.

I had trouble saying “No” for years (thank you, lessons taught by my mother), especially when it came to protecting myself and my mental health.

In fact, I felt like I could only say no if it affected someone else’s happiness, so much so that I

would sometimes use it as an excuse.

I hear women saying things like, “So sorry, I can’t. I’m taking my kids to soccer practice that

day,” or “So so sorry, my husband asked me to pick him up...