Owning Your NO

This is something I tell my team all the time, “Own your no.”

This also is sooo relevant in relationships.

If you want to be in a relationship built on safety and honesty, saying no is an essential and foundational part of that relationship.

So many of us grow up thinking that saying no is a bad thing or that it’s selfish.

We often fear that saying no will lead to trouble or conflict.

But here’s the truth: you need to feel the power that comes from your no.

Ladies and gentlemen, there is SO MUCH confidence and self-trust that builds from saying no.

When your partner tells you no, it builds trust between you.

I’m not saying this is easy.

 If you feel okay expressing your no but notice your partner struggles with it, you can support them in feeling safe to do so.

For example, my husband grew up in the South, where saying yes is often seen as being selfless and polite. Meanwhile, I come in with my sassy, roaring lion energy (Australian, lol), completely the opposite! I’ve become his advocate for saying no, and as a result, he now feels safe expressing his own boundaries. This has increased my respect for him, too.

Let’s be real: we don’t respect people we can walk all over.

It might seem appealing to have a partner who always says yes, but if you also want a partner who sparks your interest, that constant agreement isn’t it.

There’s something incredibly attractive about a partner who knows how to say no.

TO CLARIFY: I’m talking about healthy no’s, not about shutting down communication or disregarding feelings.

This also doesn’t mean saying no all the time. It means knowing when to assert your boundaries. And OWNING YOUR NO.