Laura

Nope.

Daily writing prompt
How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?
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All the time.

“No,” is a complete sentence.

I’ll gladly say “no,” with a smile on my face – especially as it relates to work ❌

Definitely when it interferes with boundaries and things that are important to us.

“Want to add another annoyance to your already packed schedule this week?”

No.

“Can you work overtime?”

No.

How about “I quit!” instead?

“Continue to engage and be nice to that person who has already overstepped 189479 times?”

No.

“Let obstacles that you have no control over at this very moment interfere with your precious sleep?”

No. Nope. Nada.

The cat feels it too – and to hell with that alarm clock! ⏰

“Be overly nice and super caring because it’s in your nature, aka doormat, be a doormat, you’re just a doormat…that’s all you’re good for…freakin’ doormat!”

No. Never again.

Tired of being stepped on like a doormat? Put your foot down, already!

And who could dare to ever even utter the words:

“Start your day un-caffeinated?”

No.

Errr…hell no to that one!

I think you get the picture. It gets easier to say “no” as I get older and the less fucks I give.

Mad about it? Look a little deeper.

Of course, I would never just say “no,” to hurt someone’s feelings. But if they aren’t taking mine into consideration when they ask for a good deed and favor after favor after a favor, then why should I continue to play into that?

Respect. Earned and learned by not always saying “yes” to everything.

Honor yourself. In the end, you’ll be glad you did.

And if it’s saying “no” to that sweet treat you feel you’ve got a pass for because you’ve had a hard week? I feel you. What is it they always say?

Just remember to do your exercise!

Everything in moderation.

I’m not one for re-hashing prompts, and I’m sure I’ve probably answered this before, but I feel it bears repeating.

Happy Taco Tuesday! 🌮 One more night of work! 😴

all words and images, unless otherwise stated

115 comments

  1. 4 more nights of work for me.
    I should probably say no to that. Oh, wait…money 🙄😆😆
    I’m getting better at saying no, but it took awhile to get there.
    Glad you are finding that sweet spot 😘 and I hope tonight goes smooth and easy ❤️

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    • Awww thank you ❤️ 😘
      Yes, it’s never easy, especially with those we care about and family. But you have to put you first, otherwise the other stuff isn’t gonna work out the way you want it to 🙏

      Saying no to work sounds like a plan to me! 😆 let’s do it! 🤪

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    • What matters is progress the rest will catch you on the way… as long as you moving that’s enough. For me these days my body says no to certain foods the minute I smell that food even though I love it. But when my body says no and I agree BOOM!!! That’s a win for me😅🤗🙌✨️❤️

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      • Yes, motion is sometimes enough. Hopefully over time, you build enough momentum to break through to the next level.
        Hope you are having a great day! 😊

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      • Yesss! Thats the word i was lokling for momentum🤗you’ll get there don’t worry especially the season we are in of mercury Retrograde needs you to look within and let God take the wheel on other things of your life🙏🤗all the best.

        Thank you I’m having a great day but I just have flu 🙆‍♀️😅have a great day yourself Kevin.

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  7. Oh wow, that was a masterclass in no-ology!
    If saying no was an Olympic sport, you’d have the gold, the trophy, and the endorsement deal.
    Your cat’s refusal to acknowledge alarms? Clearly trained by the best.

    May your tacos be crunchy, your sleep undisturbed, and your patience only for those who deserve it. 🌮😴

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  12. LOVE indulging in a good no! Can’t wait for it to stop feeling like an indulgence and start becoming a knee-jerk reaction to nonsensical requests, but I imagine that comes with time. Great post!

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      • Damn! I can so relate to that, Laura! I was unable to say “no” for the longest time …. too long …. and I ended up spreading myself so thin, I wasn’t enjoying anything. For many reasons, the day our 1st grandchild was born almost 16 years ago was my life preserver. I wanted to be a Grammy and enjoy as much time as I could with our granddaughter, not running around volunteering at this and that or chairing another committee. I quit almost everything and never looked back. Since then I’ve cut even more unnecessary stuff from my life. I’m of an age where I can say “fuck off” with absolutely no problem! 😎❤︎

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      • That’s such a good mindset to have! 🙌 I always find the most caring people, the most empathetic, are always spreading themselves so thin. And then of course when I say “no” that one time I look like the bitch, 🙄😒 because I’m always being the one to take care of everything. 😩
        It’s rough! I’m glad you are finally at a place where you can cut things out, and feel comfortable doing so. I had to get to that point in my life as well, and I have to keep myself in check often. 🙏 It’s not always easy, but necessary. Otherwise I’ll end up in a loony bin 😵‍💫 Thank you for your awesome comment 💕

        Liked by 1 person

    • It really is 🙏 it takes a while to be able to do it all, too. It constantly requires learning over and over again to keep our peace which is so important for our health and sanity 😀 💕

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  16. Its all about the boundaries Laura !
    No, is no, simple as that!
    Hold em, or fold em 🤗
    When you have a good heart, people take the piss (excuse my language)
    I learn my lessons the hard way.
    Yaay to one more night at work 💕🙏😘

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    • Thank you so much, lovely Maggie! ❤️ so true, people often know what they can try to finagle out of you and trifle beyond belief! Then you get called “rude” lol well sorry I’ve been stepped on enough. 🙄 it’s a shame our kindness has to be taken for weakness. 😒
      And thank you 🤗 I’m on countdown time! So ready to go! 💕

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  19. Saying no as you get older certainly gets easier to do. I think it’s down to past experience where enough things have happened to think no more. No more. And so having to not give a toss and, say no for your own peace of mind and wellbeing.

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    • So true Liz 🙏 keeping peace of mind for health and sanity is always needed. I think that’s where the “no” comes from. When you’re spread too thin, and you feel like you just can’t deal with it, that’s when it becomes a problem. Oh yeah, and older definitely makes it easier 😆

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  22. No is definitely something we need to learn to say. One time I said yes to an assignment that required me to work 16 hours a day and 12 hours per day on the weekends for a whole month without extra pay at a location in anoither state. During that time my wife had to singlehandedly take of the household and during that time one of our dogs died, and I was not there for him. I did it because the company was in a bind and I wanted to be a team player. What did I get in the end? Nothing ! For me it served no purpose at all. All it did was cause me pain, my wife pain and my dog pain. We have to be braver about the word No.

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    • Oh god, Thomas 🙏 I’m so sorry 😞 I feel this. I had to work an overtime shift one Saturday night at the psych hospital a few years ago and my cat died that very same night. I knew she was towards the end of her life and it could’ve been any moment, but it would’ve been nice to at least have that night to grieve properly (I would’ve been off if I hadn’t said yes to working!) and those 12-16 hour days are such a grind, it seems like they could care less about whether you do it or not. We have to care for ourselves, our families, and our loved ones first. And especially ourselves, because no one else will. I’m so sorry for your loss at that time, it had to have been stressful. 😥

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  23. My Laura, I love this empowering post! You’re serving up a healthy dose of self-respect and boundary-setting. Saying “no” without apology is a superpower. Your honesty and humor are inspiring. Keep spreading the message of self-love and prioritization.❤️😊

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    • Thank you so much, lovely Thobile ❤️ so kind of you to say 🙏 I hope you are having a wonderful week and taking time for self care and surrounded by positivity as beautiful as you! ✨ 😊

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  24. This post is literally amazing. For me these days I’m even training my posture and body language to say no 🤣🤣🙌Honey I’m done with yes. I no longer give from my cup, I no longer give even when my cup is so full it overflows, like he’ll I don’t even give from the saucer you can try and catch the drops that come from the saucer if you can. Meaning you’ll have to wait until I say yes to something. Either than that nope, nada I am chy🙌🤗

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    • 🤣 😆 I love this! 👏 good for you. Definitely don’t pour any more from the cup ☕️ mine sometimes is empty and people still trying to get drops 💧 from it 🤣 I gotta take a page out of your book for real! ✨ 🙌

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  25. Haha, this post is spot on, and those images are awesome, some are too funny… “No” really is a complete sentence, and it’s so important to set those boundaries. Respect for yourself is key.

    Also, I’m with you on that “No !!” to the un-caffeinated start. 😂

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    • Oh please, the un-caffeinated start is definitely a “no!” lol 😆 thank you Willie, it is so important for us to respect ourselves and what is best for us overall. I hope you’re doing well and having a great week 🙏 😊

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    • Thank you, Mary ❤️ I know you’ve probably had to struggle with this a lot, you’re such a giving person 🙏 I pray they are coming to an end soon, too. Love you much Mary! 😊

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  34. Doormat here LOLOLOL … 😉 I’ve learned this way late! I hope tonight is so smooth and zooms by but with ease! The images are purrfect (haha as always) … and yes to whatever Laura says!!! ❤ You 😀

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    • Thank you lovely ❤️ my wish for you is to be a doormat no more! Please, for your health and sanity 🙏 only spread that goodness and kindness to those who are deserving of your lovely soul. Glad you liked the images and I hope you have a fantastic hump day 🐪 and rest of the week! ❤️ to you!! 🤗

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  37. Its been a hard thing to learn being a people pleaser but you absolutely right! No is a complete sentence no need for an explanation 👏🏾

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  42. If I ever think for a moment that liberties are being taken, then NO is the automatic response. And for all the reasons listed above, it goes without saying… they’d probably get blacklisted as well. Writing time is off limits, even to family. The phone is on silent to avoid hurt feelings.

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  43. My wife got a kick out of this. Partly because we’re in the service industry, so we also saw rude, overstepping, need to have my butt wiped for me person #189462 this week, but also because she’s helping me move five tons of drain rock into the back yard. This is what she said: “NOPE.”😝

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