Each week I send out this email in the hope of helping you to bring a little more Mental Sunshine into your life.
I provide a little tip, a thing you can try, that will hopefully improve your mood a bit.
None of it is exactly life changing on its own
But over time, I’d like to think it builds up so that you have a toolbox of things you can use to improve your mood.
This week’s tip might look like it doesn’t fit into that category
But on closer inspection, I hope you’ll agree that it does.
This week, I want you to try saying NO.
I know, that doesn’t sound very sunshine-y!
But here’s the thinking behind it:
We all find it hard to say no in some situations.
Some of us find it hard to say no in lots of situations!
We end up agreeing to do things we don’t really want to do
Going to things we’d rather avoid
Doing favours for people and kicking ourselves the whole time
These things eat into our own time
We end up tired and burnt out because we’ve given all our energy to something we weren’t even that interested in
That’s not great, because then we’re too tired or time poor to do the things we really want to do
But also, every time we say yes and do something we don’t want to do, we’re showing ourselves that our own wants and needs are not important
That we’re not prioritising our own happiness
I’m not saying you need to start refusing to do everything
But is there something in your life that you could say no to, today?
If the thought of saying no makes you nervous, come up with some set responses you can use when you’re asked to do something you’d rather not do…
Thank you so much for thinking of me but I won’t be able to make it.
I’m sorry, your situation sounds really hard but I can’t help right now.
That sounds great, maybe another day.
You can find a way to be kind and polite, but still decline a request or offer if you don’t want to do it.
And the feeling you get when you’ve managed to say no to something that’s been bothering you?
That’s Mental Sunshine!
When we prioritise our own needs, we show ourselves: I’m important
Saying no is often an act of self care.
What can you say no to today?