Saying YES!

Hello friends!

In the latest episode of the Wellish Living with Dani podcast, I spoke about my year of saying YES! This year, I promised myself I would embrace new experiences even if it meant leaning into fear and anxiety. After Covid-19, I discovered I had some trepidation around activities that formerly brought me great joy! Things like social outings, concerts, and travel. I wasn’t happy with that and I wanted to have my life back! Research shows that saying YES can foster new opportunities, boost creativity, and build stronger relationships. So far, It has been incredible! Not every experience has turned out the way I had hoped, but I’m finding myself again and enjoying the process. 

Potential Benefits of Saying Yes:

• Opens doors to new experiences:
  Saying yes can lead to meeting new people, trying new things, and experiencing new situations.

• Boosts creativity and innovation:
  A yes mindset encourages exploring new ideas. 

• Strengthens relationships:
  Saying yes can build rapport and connection with others.

• Promotes self-growth:
  Embracing challenges and opportunities can lead to personal development. 

For me, there are more pros rather than cons, however there can be downsides to a year of YES. Some of these include potential overcommitment and burnout. I needed to be very careful with this. I tend to be an all or nothing person, so I run the risk of overdoing it. 

Potential Downsides of Saying Yes:

• Overcommitment and burnout:
  Acceptance of too many requests can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed. 

• Neglecting personal boundaries:
  Saying yes to everything can lead to feelings of being taken advantage of. 

• Risk of burnout:
  Constant commitments without sufficient time for rest and reflection can lead to burnout. 

Finding the Balance:

• Consider your available time:
  Before saying yes, ensure you have the capacity to take on a new commitment.

• Set boundaries:
  Establish limits on your time and energy to avoid overcommitment and burnout. 

• Learn to say no:
  The ability to decline requests can be just as important as saying yes.

• Reflect on your priorities:
  Consider the long-term consequences of saying yes and make decisions that align with your values and goals. 

Well•ish Experiment: 

Take on a yes mindset! Saying yes can be a powerful tool for personal growth! Perhaps you have stopped having dinner parties, going to events, joining a gym, or traveling. Do you want these experiences? If so, try saying YES! Do so thoughtfully and intentionally, setting appropriate boundaries and prioritizing personal well-being. 

Try this next time you are unsure about if an experience should be a yes or a no. Take out a piece of paper and write down theses categories: 

• Time Available: Do you have the capacity for another commitment?

• Priorities: Does this align with experiences you value or goals you hope to meet? 

• Worries: What are some fears or anxieties about the experience? 

• Benefits: What would you hope to gain from this experience? 

Wishing you a beautiful experiment! Stay Well•ish friends. 

Xoxo, 

Dani