“Half the issues of this life may be attributed to saying yes too soon and never saying yes soon enough.” —Josh Billings
How often do you utilize the word “no”? If you are like most individuals, this probably won’t be enough.
We live in a world that seems to glorify the word “yes” – seize every opportunity, open every door, spend every dollar, stay busy on a regular basis.
But within the pursuit of something more, we regularly lose sight of what is basically vital. Filling our lives with one million yeses often leaves us empty.
One thing I’ve learned through the years of pursuing minimalism is that saying no will not be rejection, it is a alternative.
In fact, it’s one of the empowering words within the English language. By saying no, we take control of our own lives and unencumber space for what really matters.
Kelvin Wong, an economics professor at ASU once wrote Simple Money magazine. something I’ve never forgotten: “Every alternative we make has a price, even those which might be free, because even our time or energy may be utilized in other ways.” I could not agree more.
Every alternative we make has a possibility cost, and the currency we trade is not only our money—it’s our time, energy, and a focus.
For example, after we say no to impulse buying, we are saying yes to financial health and the peace of mind that comes with it.
When we refuse to clutter our calendar with unimportant commitments, we’re saying yes to quality time with family members or quiet moments of meditation and solitude that may nourish our soul.
When we let go of unnecessary responsibilities, even in the event that they appear to be noble goals, we make room for work that’s more in keeping with our truest goals and passions.
This temptation to over-involve ourselves and our resources comes from each external and internal sources.
We live in a world that tempts us to at all times add more: more clothes, more gadgets, more social events, more responsibilities, more opportunities to get things done.
But studies have also shown that our human tendency when faced with an issue is to search for solutions that add to our lives, not subtract. In the method, we run the chance of overcomplicating our lives.
Here’s a fresh perspective: what if as an alternative of adding we began subtracting? What if we embrace the facility of “no” more often?
Saying no will not be about closing doors or missing out. It’s about making informed decisions about what we truly value in life. It’s about freeing yourself from clutter, distractions, and the burden of unnecessary burdens.
The next time you end up on the verge of claiming yes to a different commitment or purchase, ask yourself, “Does this add real value to my life or is it just one other pastime? If I say no, can I create more room for the things that basically matter?”
Remember that each “no” can also be a “yes” to something else, something potentially more meaningful. It could be a “yes” to your individual well-being, personal growth, financial freedom, or the pursuit of a life well lived.
After all, minimalism will not be about missing something. It’s about having the correct things—those that basically add value to our lives.
And it often starts with saying one little word: “no.” And that is why it will probably be one of the inspiring words within the English language.
try it. You could also be surprised at the liberty and transparency it provides.
