Do You Know “NO”?
January 28, 2008 by laura
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
I realize that its sometimes hard to cope with doctors, specialists, alternative health practitioners, boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses, parents, bloggers, etc. Everyone has an idea of how or what you should be doing. Guess what people, they don’t know everything. No one knows you better than you.
If you are uncomfortable with how you are being treated, you have the power to tell them so. Tired of the taking meds that don’t work? You have a right to say no to them (and your doctor). Your boyfriend thinks you are being lazy? You can tell him he is wrong. Parents think you are “just depressed” – you can say “no that’s not quite right, please listen to me”.
We often lose our voice, when we are tired and not feeling good – and instead let other people take control. I know how easy it is to let that happen. I also know how hard it is to get back some independence, when we have let others take on what we should be able to do for ourselves.
So how do you start out on the right track? First thing you do, is start saying no to the things that aren’t working in your life. When the stressors, depressors, and all round negative forces have been eliminated (or at least reduced)….then you can start thinking about saying “yes”.
So what will you say “no” to today? For me, I am going to say “no” to the drama that a coworker dumps on me every single day. When I am able to say no to her stuff without any effort, I will bring in a “yes” to my life.
Alright its your turn….
**Picture Source – flickr
What a great idea. I will say no to myself first – NO, I will not worry if I can’t do the housework today.
Andie,
Perfect! Today no house cleaning worries. POOF!
How do you feel?
After the acupuncture appointment, I went to the regular doctor and said “uhh, no, I don’t want to try any new meds…” Topamax was the last. Ick. I’m sort of done with the regular doctor thing for a while. I’ll change my mind of course when there’s pain again.
Jensina,
so how was the acupuncture appt???
good for you, for saying no to the doctor….it is not easy.
Acupuncture is a great way to manage pain….hope it works as well for you, as it does for me.
Let me know, how you are finding it.
I said no to the bank and grocery trip. Would be nice to get those cheques in where I can use them, but there’s always tomorrow… or wednesday
.
Funny how I don’t have too much trouble saying ‘no’ at the time or after doctor’s appointments, but I get all worked up beforehand about what they might say… as if I won’t say no if I don’t like where they are going! Gotta trust myself more.
Jenna,
Trust in yourself is key. Of course, saying no is going to be a problem if one is always flip flopping around.
I used to get all worked up at the word “no” – and truthfully I still do sometimes. But I practice saying it all the time. I say it to the mirror when I get up in the morning….
and when I am lying in bed at night – I say it over and over again, as if I am practicing a new word.
It gets easier over time.