Far from being self-centered or ill-mannered, saying “no” is one of the most gracious gifts we can give ourselves.

 Article

Not long ago, I realized that the single greatest source of stress in my life was my own reluctance to say “no” to myriad invitations. I’ve spent countless hours going places I didn’t want to go, doing things I didn’t want to do. Meetings where my presence wasn’t necessary or useful. Parties and conferences full of people I didn’t know or care to know. Lunches, dinners, and coffees with relative strangers wanting to “pick my brain.” As these sorts of commitments compounded in my life, I found myself stressed, burnt out, and ripe for another mood episode.