“Yeah…NO.” That’s the phrase on my newly purchased T-shirt, and it perfectly embodies my word of the year: NO. For me, it’s about setting boundaries and saying no to situations, events, or even people that no longer serve me.
Let me explain. I used to be a perpetual “yes” person, always eager to help and reluctant to disappoint. Naturally kind and compassionate, I often made other people’s problems my own, leaving little room for my own needs or challenges. Over time, this pattern drained me, leaving me feeling like I was merely going through the motions—an empty shell with no energy to nurture myself.
I now dedicate daily time to meditation or self-reflection to evaluate my progress across key areas of my life. I’ve often written about my priorities, or “buckets,” which include: 1) spiritual, 2) family, 3) health, 4) career, 5) volunteerism, and a new addition for this year: 6) creating social platforms. Each morning, I assess how I’m doing in each area by giving myself a grade. If I fall short in any category, I create a plan of action to address the issue. This method has been instrumental in helping me overcome challenges and stay on track toward my goals.
During a self-reflection session, my word of the year revealed itself, and it has truly transformed my life. I’ve learned to set boundaries by declining social events when I’m overly tired or already stretched too thin. At the start of each month, I evaluate my commitments and identify opportunities to pare them down. If scaling back isn’t possible, I proactively schedule a three-hour block of self-care, knowing I’ll need time to recharge.
When it comes to saying no, I’m referring to safeguarding your well-being and mental space from individuals who may be harmful to you. We all have people in our lives who can negatively impact our mental health or inner peace. Take a moment to identify who those individuals might be and consciously reduce the time you spend with them. While it can be particularly challenging if the person is a family member, you can still create healthy boundaries by limiting your interactions with them.
Embracing the power of saying no has opened up more time in my schedule to focus on what truly matters in my life. I hope this inspires you to reflect on how often you use the word no and perhaps even discover your own word of the year.
Wishing you a Happy New Year!