As an independent woman getting ready to step out into the world of career, bills to pay and a bedtime of 10pm, I am learning to balance things within my life and allow myself moments to simply breathe. I am the queen of overcommitment and wanting to be a part of everything yet not having enough time to do it all, thus leaving myself giving only half to that which I commit to and never fully enjoying any of it. I'm sure some of you can relate. As of late I've realized my obsession with pleasing others and the need to never have a voice raised at me, a snide remark made or any frustration directed toward me for whatever reason. I as "Ms. Peacemaker" herself let my mind wander one too many times through an unrealistic drama-free world that I soon was able to see otherwise as a typical journey through life that's full of glitches, mishaps, conflict and disagreement. So what did I allow myself to finally see and be okay with? - It's okay to not please everyone. 

People can really suck the life out of you. Being that I am a social butterfly with the nature of a busy body constantly wanting to be on the go and never have enough downtime to be bored or lonely, I've found that the easy way to prevent this unfortunate truth of life was to always say "yes, I'll babysit your child" or, "Okay, I'll help you with your homework assignment" or better yet, "Sure I can come to another meeting or be a part of another organization". Don't get me wrong, these are all noble deeds that bring me one step closer to be a little more selfless but come on, "NO I CANNOT COMMIT TO THIS". Boy does it feel good to not feel bad about saying no! I don't know what brought me to this place where I suddenly had the "audacity" so to speak to put my foot down once and for all, but as a female in the world of frustrating people who take advantage of your time and walk all over your, it was time to scream independence and lack of obligation to always be stretching myself so thin. 

Sometimes it really is detrimental to be so involved that others think of you as the "go-to" person. Maybe I'm getting older and wiser or perhaps I'm just getting frustrated when I shouldn't. Either way, I think it's important to have enough boldness to know where your boundary lines fall and understand that it's okay to say no. Perhaps some of you opened up this particular blog thinking that I was saying no to drugs, alcohol, sex, or any other inappropriate behavior and maybe this topic seems juvenile and unworthy of extensive thought-provoking text. But I find it of great significance that we all say no every now and then. Today I said no and I gotta tell you, it felt pretty darn good!