Day 52 of 90 · Calm under pressure
Say no to one thing
“I said no to a third party this week. My friend just said "no worries". I'd built it up for nothing.” — Kai
Today's action · 5 min
Pick one invitation or request on your list that you don't have the time or energy for, and decline it kindly today in one or two sentences.
Why it works
Givi and Kirk found that people overestimate how upset others will be when they decline an invitation. Inviters tend to be more understanding than we expect. Protecting your time in a busy season is often less costly than it feels.
Source: Saying no: The negative ramifications from invitation declines are less severe than we think (Givi & Kirk, 2024)
Educational content, not medical advice. If you are struggling, contact a qualified professional (Lifeline 13 11 14 in Australia, 988 in the US).