November 28 2025 The Art of Saying Yes to Yourself
“Looking back you realize that a very special person passed briefly through your life and that person was you. It is not too late to become that person again.” ― Robert Brault
Listen to, or read this meditation:
You’re really good at saying yes, aren’t you?
Yes to your boss who needs you to stay late. Yes to your kids who want one more story. Yes to your friend who needs help moving. Yes to coaching the team, baking for the fundraiser, and serving on that committee.
You’re so good at saying yes to everyone else that you’ve forgotten how to say it to yourself.
Here’s what I mean. When was the last time you said yes to that hobby you’ve been thinking about? Yes to the nap you desperately needed? Yes to the dream that whispers to you late at night when everyone else is asleep?
I’m guessing it’s been a while.
We’ve been taught that putting ourselves first is selfish. That good people sacrifice. That love means giving until there’s nothing left. And listen-service matters. Generosity is beautiful. But somewhere along the way, we twisted those truths into something toxic.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. You’ve heard that before, right? But you keep trying anyway. You keep giving and giving until you’re running on fumes, wondering why you feel so exhausted and resentful all the time.
Saying yes to yourself isn’t selfish. It’s survival. It’s wisdom. It’s recognizing that you matter too.
Think about it like the oxygen mask on an airplane. They tell you to put yours on first before helping others. Why? Because if you pass out, you can’t help anyone. Your life has the same instruction manual. Take care of yourself first so you can actually show up for the people you love.
Saying yes to yourself looks different for everyone. Maybe it’s finally signing up for that painting class. Maybe it’s saying no to plans so you can have a quiet Saturday. Maybe it’s buying those concert tickets or starting therapy or taking that trip you’ve been putting off for years.
It’s choosing the salad because you want to feel good, not because someone’s judging your plate. It’s going to bed early because you need rest, even if the laundry isn’t done. It’s protecting your peace, even when people don’t understand.
Here’s the beautiful truth: when you start saying yes to yourself, you become a better version of you for everyone else too. You’re more patient. More present. More joyful. Because you’re not running on empty anymore.
You teach people how to treat you. And you teach your kids what self-respect looks like. When they see you honoring your own needs, they learn that they’re allowed to honor theirs too.
So start saying yes. Yes to rest. Yes to joy. Yes to dreams. Yes to you.
You’ve spent enough time at the bottom of your own priority list, friend. It’s time to move yourself up.
Action Step: Right now, write down one thing you’ve been wanting to do for yourself. Then schedule it in your calendar this week like it’s a doctor’s appointment you can’t cancel. Treat yourself with the same importance you give everyone else.
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