Salwa - Love the tips and advice and you had me at just say no and be kind about it! Truth be told, I've found I can't get though my day without setting one or two healthy boundaries with others but most importantly with myself.
Bronce, thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed the tips. And you’re absolutely right setting boundaries with ourselves is just as important as setting them with others. It’s something I’m constantly working on too. It’s amazing how even small boundaries can make such a difference in how we navigate the day.
I agree with this too. Regardless of how many times we hear, learn or teach about this. Its so hard to practice for ourselves and needs constant reminder. I really loved you sharing the examples too Salwa. They are so compassionately setting the boundaries. Sometimes when we have not had the privilege of learning this skill from our primary caregivers, some people and especially myself, struggled on finding the right phrases to use. Especially if English isnt your first language. So thanks a lot for sharing this
Gabi, thank you! I’m so glad you found the tips helpful. Learning to say no is such an important step for protecting our mental health, it’s not always easy thou, but it’s so worth it 💛
I’m about to make this post into a PowerPoint and go over it with my team of engineers and scientists who are either terrible at saying or terrible at how they say no… haha. Great post!
Love the idea of taking a topic and giving a bunch of examples of how to execute. Great series for you and your perspective!
Wow, I love that you’re turning this into something actionable for your team - that’s amazing! Engineers and scientists definitely deserve their own crash course in saying no with kindness, haha. Thank you for the kind words, and I’m so glad the examples resonated with you! I’ll definitely keep this series idea in mind, it means a lot to hear that it could be helpful.
Thank you Linda, and yes to many people saying no is being rude but doesn't necessarily have to be like that, in fact I believe we can do many things that aren't considered nice and still be kind about it. Thank you for your comment, it is much appreciated 💜
Thoughtful ways to say no with kindness, promoting healthy boundaries and self-care. While empathy is always encouraged, it’s important to remember that some situations may require firmer responses to avoid misunderstandings. Thanks for this timely reminder, Salwa
Tinashe, thank you for your kind words and for highlighting such an important point! It's true kindness and empathy are always important, there are moments when a firmer response is necessary as you have put it to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.
Thank you, Salwa, for all the practical tips. I personally struggle with saying no, as I have been raised as a people pleaser and I hardly tolerate conflict. So, even though I am setting boundaries I believe are healthy for me and my family, I still struggle with guilt inside. It is even more difficult when I simply cannot come out of the situation as a nice person, as the boundary is set with a toxic family member. If you ever want to share how to practically deal with the guilt trip, I would be the first one to read 😉
Selene, thank you so much for sharing this, it really hits close to home. Saying no can be so tough, especially when you’re a people pleaser and dealing with toxic family dynamics. That guilt is real, even when you know you’re doing the right thing for yourself and your family.
I really appreciate your suggestion about writing on how to practically deal with guilt trips...it’s such an important topic and something so many of us struggle with. I’ll definitely keep that in mind for a future piece. Thanks again for your thoughtful comment!❤️
Salwa - Love the tips and advice and you had me at just say no and be kind about it! Truth be told, I've found I can't get though my day without setting one or two healthy boundaries with others but most importantly with myself.
Bronce, thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed the tips. And you’re absolutely right setting boundaries with ourselves is just as important as setting them with others. It’s something I’m constantly working on too. It’s amazing how even small boundaries can make such a difference in how we navigate the day.
I agree with this too. Regardless of how many times we hear, learn or teach about this. Its so hard to practice for ourselves and needs constant reminder. I really loved you sharing the examples too Salwa. They are so compassionately setting the boundaries. Sometimes when we have not had the privilege of learning this skill from our primary caregivers, some people and especially myself, struggled on finding the right phrases to use. Especially if English isnt your first language. So thanks a lot for sharing this
Maria Ann - thank you for offering a bit of validation regarding some of what I discuss/hit on herein :)
I think you've found just the right words. Thank you for sharing them with us :)
Saying no is one of the steps towards selfcare.
Thanks for sharing some great tips on how to actually do it.
Thank you Amal and you're so welcome 💛
All great tips and much needed for me - I'm learning to say 'no', I think we need it to save at least a portion of our mental health. Thank you!
Gabi, thank you! I’m so glad you found the tips helpful. Learning to say no is such an important step for protecting our mental health, it’s not always easy thou, but it’s so worth it 💛
I’m about to make this post into a PowerPoint and go over it with my team of engineers and scientists who are either terrible at saying or terrible at how they say no… haha. Great post!
Love the idea of taking a topic and giving a bunch of examples of how to execute. Great series for you and your perspective!
Wow, I love that you’re turning this into something actionable for your team - that’s amazing! Engineers and scientists definitely deserve their own crash course in saying no with kindness, haha. Thank you for the kind words, and I’m so glad the examples resonated with you! I’ll definitely keep this series idea in mind, it means a lot to hear that it could be helpful.
Great advice! I’m sharing with my daughters.
I’m so glad you found it helpful! I hope your daughters enjoy it too 😊
I love the advice! It is indeed phrased kindly. Many people take saying no that they can be rude.
Thank you Linda, and yes to many people saying no is being rude but doesn't necessarily have to be like that, in fact I believe we can do many things that aren't considered nice and still be kind about it. Thank you for your comment, it is much appreciated 💜
This! “I see you, but I also need to see myself right now.”
Exactly Sirah 💛
Thoughtful ways to say no with kindness, promoting healthy boundaries and self-care. While empathy is always encouraged, it’s important to remember that some situations may require firmer responses to avoid misunderstandings. Thanks for this timely reminder, Salwa
Tinashe, thank you for your kind words and for highlighting such an important point! It's true kindness and empathy are always important, there are moments when a firmer response is necessary as you have put it to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.
Powerful 💥 I like them all, but I if I had to pick one, I would say number 10.
Thank you so much Kathleen, I'm glad you enjoyed the article
P.S: My mum brain I actually had to go back to read what I have written on number 10 🤣
I have to do that too sometimes. And I'm not a mom but take care of one 😉
💛
What an important topic to write about--so useful. My favourite is #9.
Thank you Sheridan, I am so glad you enjoyed the the article 💜
These phrases are so helpful! Polite and to the point.
Thank you Kasey and I'm glad you think so 🧡
number three is the one I use in my business. I make sure I have a reference before I return the no.
Thank you Karen!
Great advice! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Megan and you're so welcome!
Beautiful! Great advice.
Thank you Elizabeth
Thank you, Salwa, for all the practical tips. I personally struggle with saying no, as I have been raised as a people pleaser and I hardly tolerate conflict. So, even though I am setting boundaries I believe are healthy for me and my family, I still struggle with guilt inside. It is even more difficult when I simply cannot come out of the situation as a nice person, as the boundary is set with a toxic family member. If you ever want to share how to practically deal with the guilt trip, I would be the first one to read 😉
Selene, thank you so much for sharing this, it really hits close to home. Saying no can be so tough, especially when you’re a people pleaser and dealing with toxic family dynamics. That guilt is real, even when you know you’re doing the right thing for yourself and your family.
I really appreciate your suggestion about writing on how to practically deal with guilt trips...it’s such an important topic and something so many of us struggle with. I’ll definitely keep that in mind for a future piece. Thanks again for your thoughtful comment!❤️
"It's okay to choose yourself" - this is so powerful 🧡
Thank you Claudia 🧡