The Prerogative to Say No

It never ceases to surprise me how many women are afraid to say "no".

Whether this be a no to helping someone, attending a social affair, going on a date, inviting a man over, and the worst of them all, having sex.

I’m just so curious, where this fear of saying no has derived from. Is it our need to please? To be accepted? To be loved? I worry that it may be a treacherous combination of the three.

The Power of No

But I am writing today to lobby the importance of saying "no" to anything that does not truly feel right, and even more so, to letting go of the need to explain why.

You are a woman. A strong, powerful, life-giving creature. It is your prerogative and your right to be selective in any case and in every scenario. In all fairness, this should apply to every living being. If you do not feel compelled to do something, unless it is something that you absolutely know you should do, then simply don't. And stop with the guilt game afterwards (I know this game all too well, in fact I may have possibly invented it).

If something is not right for you, even if it hurts the feelings of another, you have to stand strong in your decision; release the guilt, because you know in your heart, that it wasn't your intention to hurt or let down this person - even if that's how they feel.I think this is one of the things I enjoy most about getting older (even if I am still considered young); I no longer feel the need to please, be accepted or explain myself when the situation really does not call for it.  If it doesn’t feel right, I know that all I have to say in a soft but stern tone is, “NO”.

Peace, love and fearless “no”s,

Diana