How do you say no to people without feeling crushing guilt?

Question

I say yes to almost everything because saying no feels unbearable. The guilt I feel when I decline something or disappoint someone is so intense that it is easier to say yes and be overwhelmed than no and feel terrible. How do you say no without the guilt destroying you?

kai_rivera · Accepted Answer

The guilt is a feeling not a fact. It tells you that you disappointed someone but it does not tell you that you did something wrong. You are allowed to feel guilty and still have made the right decision. The feelings and the facts are separate.

skylar_rivera · Answer

Practice no in low-stakes situations first. The more times you say no and survive the guilt, the more evidence you collect that saying no is survivable. The first few times are the hardest. It genuinely gets easier.

How do you say no to people without feeling crushing guilt?

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How do you say no to people without feeling crushing guilt?

2 answers Most votes Newest Oldest

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2 answers
Most votes Newest Oldest