Self-Management of Depression

You may struggle to say no to others because you fear you will hurt them, seem selfish, look like you don’t care, or risk a relationship. You may also want people to like you and, especially if you struggle with self-esteem issues, saying "no" may be contrary to your subconscious approval-seeking tendencies. However, you may not have the energy or motivation to do what others want. You then struggle to accomplish what you have said “yes” to, which drives more guilt. You can break this guilt cycle by learning to say “no.” Why is it okay to say “no”? Here are a few good reasons why it is okay to say “no”: Accept that you are not a superhuman who can do everything that everyone wants. Saying “no” doesn’t make you selfish, since you have said “yes” to several people in the past. By saying “no,” you are trying to strike a balance between what you can and cannot handle. Pleasing everyone every time by saying “yes” is not humanly possible. When you say “no” to something, you...