It's Ok to say no

People do not say no enough.

Having a set routine is what successful people do. Yes, keeping your kids on a schedule is ideal for their wellbeing. Working hard to further your career, being financially secure and free of large debt is important for your future. Keeping a tidy decluttered home is essential in maintaining your health. Extracurricular hobbies, passions, community service, church, family, committees, groups, and organizations you commit to all hold importance in your life. But so is saying no and taking a day off. You can take a mental health day and not answer any phone calls, emails, text messages, and social media alerts. It is also important to live in the moment.

Make a big snack plate for dinner and stay up a little too late watching a movie together. Hop in the truck, go find some sand by the river and stay till the sun sets. Just go out to play with the kids and stay off of your phone. The chores, the people, the schedules they can wait. So sometimes we are just going to stay out late in the pool and eat leftovers for dinner. We are going to say yes to a friend coming over even though we had plans to get something else done. Who knows when we will have this time to spend together again. We are going to get that last minute babysitter, hop on the motorcycle, and go have a date night. Because we are completely overwhelmed from this week and our marriage is important too. Sometimes we are going to say no to all the event invites, baby showers, family get togethers and spend all day in our sweatpants getting our home back in order. Saying no to someone doesn't mean that you don't love them or respect them. In turn they should care enough about you to accept that the answer is no.

Whether it is sacrificing your home and family for your career and community obligations; or sacrificing your self-care, happiness and mental health for your family. This is not living in balance. I have heard every excuse from every type of person, but you really do not have to do it all. You do not have to do be a perfect person every single day. If you miss a meeting, a practice, or a self-proclaimed obligation the world will keep spinning. While other people’s opinion of you may matter in the sense of being seen as moral, ethical, and trustworthy. Their opinions of us beyond that are pretty useless. Who is taking care of you if you are not taking care of yourself? You actually do not have to sacrifice every piece of your time, energy, mind, and soul to prove to others that you are worthy person.

God does not expect you to only suffer through your life. Yes, there are times of suffering. I have lived through times of suffering. I will always give my suffering up to him. Let your faith guide you through the darkest of times. Buckle down and get your work done. Spend your time on the things that you love and on the things that are necessary to reach your goals. Get involved with your community so you can influence and change the world around you in positive ways. But you must also understand this. If you do not take care of your body and mind one day they will quit on you. Your body will force you to slow down. So much of our illness is actually self inflicted.

Think about all of the people you are trying to keep up with and impress. How many of them do you think will be there to put back together your broken pieces? Will they take care of you while you lay in bed and heal? Will they pay your bills? Will they take care of your kids, clean your house, and make your dinner? Will they want to spend time with you when you do not have so much to offer back to them? If you are feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and burnt out then it is actually your own fault. Oh I know but you have this, that and the other thing happening to you. Well Darlin we still have choices and we are blessed enough to live in a country that allows us to make them. It is time to re-prioritize how you spend your time. Yes this may be only one small part of your overall health and wellness but it is also something that can make a huge impact. If I can do it so, then so can you Darlin.

• Marriage

• 3 kids

• 1160 acres to tend to

• Gardens

• Cattle Herd

• Holistic Health Business

• Monat Business

• Home school

• Large Home to keep tidy

• Large Family

• Friendships

• Community Obligations

Sometimes it’s as simple as no.