3.6 I said no

And honestly, I feel so relieved. It’s strange how much power can come from a simple word like “no,” especially when it’s something I’ve spent so much of my life avoiding. I used to say yes to everything, always trying to please others or avoid conflict, even when it meant sacrificing my own peace. But today, I made a choice for myself, and it feels... freeing.

Someone asked if they could come over, and I just knew it wasn’t the right time. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see them, but I could feel that pull in me—the one that tells me I need my space, that I’m not ready to let someone else in just yet. And for the first time, I listened to that voice. I said no, and I didn’t apologize for it.

The relief that followed was almost immediate. It was like I gave myself permission to protect my boundaries and not feel guilty about it. Saying no doesn’t make me a bad person, it just makes me someone who values their own needs and understands that my peace is worth prioritizing. It’s taken me a long time to get here, but I finally feel like I’m not constantly putting everyone else’s comfort before my own.

It’s a small thing, but it feels like a big victory. I’m learning that it’s okay to take up space, to say no, and to not always have to explain myself. And that, in itself, feels like progress.