There is an unspoken respect for the word “yes” in our world. It opens doors, invites opportunities, and makes us seem agreeable and likable. But we forget the quiet power of “no”, a word that doesn’t just reject but redirects, doesn’t just close a door, but ensures we walk through the right one.
By Disha Gattani
“I used to be a chronic people-pleaser,” says Aisha Kapoor, 30, marketing executive at Sunira Designs, Delhi. “I felt like saying no would make me seem unhelpful or cold. But over time, I realised that agreeing to everything left me drained. I was doing things out of obligation, not desire.”
Our need for approval often tempts us to overcommit. We nod to invitations we panic, responsibilities we resent, and obligations that leave us exhausted. But imagine a life where your choices are intentional rather than reactive. “Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough,” says Madhur Sarihans, 35, chef at Radisson in Delhi.
The more you practice, the lighter it feels. The more you honor your own needs; the more people respect them. The discomfort of declining fades, replaced by the quiet satisfaction of living in alignment with your values. Arjun Singh, 26, a software engineer at Deloitte, Gurgaon, shares his strategy “I used to take on extra tasks at work because I didn’t want to seem uncooperative. But eventually, I started respectfully declining projects that
weren’t in my scope. The surprising part? My boss actually appreciated my honesty.”
Refusing things that don’t vibe with you makes space for the stuff that does.
You’re not rejecting people; you’re just prioritizing yourself. When you say no
to things that drain you, accept things that actually light you up.
Acknowledging passion projects, real friendships, just chilling alone and recharging. It’s about choosing the life you actually want, not the one other
expects.
Saying no isn’t being selfish. It’s self-care. It’s knowing that your energy is
limited, and you don’t owe it to everyone. So next time you’re about to say yes
just because it feels easier, pause. Ask yourself—do I actually want this? Will
this serve me? If not, ditch it. As Madhur puts it, “When you say ‘yes’ to others,
make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself.” Because at the end of the day,
the biggest act of self-respect is knowing when to deny and owning.
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