Skip to content
  • About
    • Our story
    • Our science
    • Hormona App
  • Hormones
    • About hormones
    • Hair Loss
    • Irregular cycles
    • PCOS
    • Infertility
  • Hormona Library
  • For business
    • Employers
    • Partnerships
    • Hormona Ambassadors
Menu
  • About
    • Our story
    • Our science
    • Hormona App
  • Hormones
    • About hormones
    • Hair Loss
    • Irregular cycles
    • PCOS
    • Infertility
  • Hormona Library
  • For business
    • Employers
    • Partnerships
    • Hormona Ambassadors
  • En
  • Sv
Menu
  • En
  • Sv
Get the app
  • Relationships

The Importance of Saying ‘No’ 

The Hormona Team

‘No’ is a very small word, with a truly huge meaning (it was my first word, just thought to mention), that encompasses denial, refusal, dissent. A noun, adverb and adjective, the word is one of the most used and adaptable in the English language, able to be used both positively and negatively.  

As we go through the world taught to be polite and accommodating, as we are encouraged to push ourselves and to be selfless, we forget the word. We forget we can use it. We feel rude when we do. Because we get to hearing it negatively: no, you can’t have that toy; no, you didn’t get the job; no, I don’t like you. To many of us, no is a restrictive word, a word that builds resentment, a word that is ignored or not understood.  

We are encouraged to say yes to so much. Say yes to everything. And in some ways, the advice isn’t bad. Take opportunities and risks, go for things you might not have gone for before, give something or someone, a chance.  

Saying yes, opens doors. 

Saying no, sets boundaries.  

But they are important boundaries. Physical, emotional and mental boundaries that let other people know how far they can push us. That keep you comfortable, safe and in control. 

The word has developed selfish connotations in an age where we are forced to remind ourselves to practice self-love, to be selfish every now and then. The word ‘no’ is how we achieve this. Places we don’t want to go to, people we don’t want to meet up with, events we can’t be bothered with.  

We feel the need to juggle multiple commitments and plans, we spread ourselves thin with saying yes, with our eagerness to not disappoint people. Why spend our time in ways we don’t want to? Why clog ourselves up with people who drain us and plans that we spend weeks dreading in the company of someone we are uncomfortable around? How is doing that to ourselves considered a good act of humanity? 

No is a negative word, generally speaking. A negative response to a statement or question and we hear this when its spoken. We feel the rejection or the hurt, but, in my own small opinion, no is a neutral word. 

A no to them, is a yes to you.  

“When you say yes to others, make sure you are not saying no to yourself.” – Paulo Coelho 

It’s a yes to a night in with a face mask and ice cream. It’s a yes to your mental health, to your physical limits.  

I say no when I’m invited to the pub by my family. Not because I don’t want to be with them, not because I don’t want to spend time with them, but because busy pubs at the weekends have the unpleasant affect of triggering my anxiety. No isn’t a refusal for my family. It’s a yes for me, to not strain my mental health, to spend some alone and watch some stupid movie I know they wouldn’t like anyway.  

Saying no seems daunting, we feel the guilt or the selfishness as we say it, but we have a duty first and foremost to ourselves. To our health and wellbeing and if that means saying no to someone then so be it. Pushing ourselves into a vaguely recognisable version of who we are so that other people will like us and not think badly of us will only leave us feeling miserable.  

The people in your lives who cannot accept the word no are the selfish ones here. The ones who expect to you to think of them before you when they do not extend the same thought. It’s better so say no than to say yes without meaning it. 

Saying no is an important step to taking control of your life. It might take practice, it might feel bad at first, but it won’t always. Being able to say no when you need to, having it there, like a safety net, is valuable. 

Saying the word is useful. 

Hearing the word, respecting the word, is essential. 

“NO” is a complete sentence. It does not require an explanation to follow.” – Sharon E. Rainey 

Be selfish, darlings, and say no when you want to. 

  • March 22, 2020
  • Relationships
The Hormona Team

The Hormona Team

Articles by the Hormona team are written by the amazing people that are, or have been, involved in Hormona and who all stand behind the cause and purpose of educating and empowering women to live better and healthier lives. It’s all of our goal to share personal stories, helpful information, tips, tricks and experiences to help other women in our community in their daily lives and on their hormonal health journey.

More stories

womans neck to to illustrate the relationship between hormones and pain

Hormones and pain: How your cycle affects sensitivity

woman touching her leg in bath

Loss of sex drive? Could be the Pill

Healthier living with Hormona: How we can help you

RELATED POSTS

woman leaning her head back

Thyroids and Irregular Periods: What’s The Connection?

According to the American Thyroid Association, “More than 12% of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition

Read More »
woman holding her baby bump

Progesterone dominance: what you need to know

Estrogen, Estrogen, Estrogen. Everybody loves to talk about Estrogen. Well, today we’re not talking about Estrogen for once.

Read More »
woman holding her tummy

Period bloating remedies: Beat the bloats

Bloat. The word sounds just like it feels, doesn’t it? You feel extra fluffy and full. Your clothes

Read More »
  • Our story
  • Our science
  • Hormona Library
  • Our story
  • Our science
  • Hormona Library
  • Partnerships
  • Contact
  • Career
  • Contact us
  • Partnerships
  • Contact
  • Career
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Sign up to our newsletter

Follow us
Instagram Facebook Linkedin Twitter

© Wlness Science Ltd 2023

Language
  • En
  • Sv
  • En
  • Sv
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can always opt-out if you wish. Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT