Advocating for Me

I'm learning a lot about advocating for me this past year. Making the best decisions for me and my family. Getting rid of the things that suck the life out of me. Distancing myself from the people that bring me down. Saying no to events that aren't life giving. It is HARD. I'm a people pleaser to the core so this was such an uncomfortable thing at first. It felt so unnatural and unusual. It had to happen though. Life is too short to do what you dread. To not truly live. I don't want to look back in 40 years and regret not doing things because I was too busy doing things I didn't want to do. 

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This blog post really helped. I needed to hear that it is okay to say no. It doesn't mean I'm a bad person. It doesn't make me lazy or rude. It just means I need to take time for me. If it is going to stress me out or if I'm going to dread it or if I just don't plain love it than it's not for me. 

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And you know what I've learned in the process of saying no? Life goes on. It usually isn't a big deal and they understand. I agonize for hours and it's NOT a big deal. There isn't an award for who does the most stuff. I'm not overbooked. Creating white space, spending quality time with Garth and the people I love, and a peace of mind is worth so much more just so I can be busy. It's just not for me. 

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It doesn't come easy or natural just yet. But it is becoming something I'm enjoying. Life is so much more enjoyable when you aren't overbooked and over stressed. Trust me on this! I know one day it will become old habit and I look forward to that day. But I'm enjoying this season. This time to learn to advocate for my happiness. For my success. For my peace of mind. It is worth it. You are worth. Life is too short to not love it.