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Do you find yourself worn out beyond depletion? Would you describe yourself as a “Yes” person? Are you irritable past the normal self-soothing behaviors? If any of these resonates with you then you may be overextending yourself. More signs of this may follow. It is imperative to tune into your body. Take stock of how you’re feeling physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Have you ever said “Yes” to someone or something when you should have said “NO”? It happens especially when you are not mindful of self.
Being tuned into self will give you insight on how to proceed when you may be feeling off. For individuals who work tirelessly for others yet neglect the self. Don’t let this be you. Advocate for yourself. If you have issues with expressing yourself in this manner, try mindfulness. Taking time to quiet your mind will not only bring you serenity, it will also bring you stronger convictions. Take the time to explore what you want and the quality of your relationships. Your life is trying to get your attention. It is time to wake up, sometimes change is necessary.
Boundaries are necessary for a harmonious balance of the self and interpersonal relationships. Boundaries teach yourself and others that you are valuable. Boundaries teach others how to treat you. Often times, the people we love the most are the ones that we should have these boundaries with. No, is in fact, a complete sentence. If you’re used to saying “yes”, this can be challenging for you to start exploring the power of “NO.” You can start out by practicing in front of a mirror. Say “NO” as many times as you need to get used to the respond. Every time you say “YES” to someone else and you find you made the choice purely because of the other person, you end up saying “NO” to yourself. Give yourself permission to exercise your worth by speaking up and out about something that matters to you. Express yourself honestly. Boundaries not just for your mind, they are for the totality of your being. Your entire being vibrates on a frequency that can be evident. You’ll know when something isn’t right to you—your gut, intuition, whatever resonates for you will let you know. Be more diligent in the pursuit of the things and people that make you better just by being you. Say “NO” to everything else.
When you say “No” to yourself, you are sending a message to others to do the same. What this does is give others the power to continue to get whatever it is that they want from you. It is vital that you don’t get caught up in the trap of trading your authenticity for the approval of other people. You don’t have to be a victim to the whim of everyone else’s choices. You matter. Invest in getting to know more about what makes you blossom. Take note of who drains your energy when you are having a good day. Emotions can be a guide to let you know how to proceed when situations come up. As a result, of expressing yourself in this manner, you will have more authenticity within yourself and your relationships.
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