Bethel Haven, Inc.
  • Home
  • Giving
  • About Us
    • Services
    • Staff
    • Fee Structure >
      • Fees FAQs
    • FAQs
    • Blog
    • Apply >
      • Employment
      • Internships
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Current Clients
  • No Surprises Act

help, hope, healing

Setting Healthy Boundaries: How To Say No

4/13/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Setting healthy boundaries with our schedule sounds like a wonderful concept. By saying no we open up space our on schedule, avoid being involved with things we don’t really want to do and generally feel more mentally healthy. Boundaries are important because they are the way that we communicate with others what is and is not okay in their interactions with us. Healthy boundaries help us have a sense of control over our lives and our schedules. Boundaries can often keep us from feeling helpless or overwhelmed. 

So how can we say no? For some of us, saying “no” might be something that comes easily and naturally. For others of us, saying “no” might feel completely counter to how we operate. Our first instinct might be to say “yes” and commit to something regardless of whether or not we have the time to do it. 

Here are a few steps for saying no: 

Stop and think when someone asks you to do something. If your first instinct is to always say “yes!” then you need to give yourself time to consider whether or not you can actually commit to something. It is perfectly acceptable to tell someone that you need to check your schedule or you need some time to think about something before you commit. 
Be kind and firm. Saying “no” isn’t a bad thing. You might have to untrain your brain from thinking that it is. Saying “no” is completely acceptable! If someone asks you to do something, asks you to come to an event or even asks you a question that you don’t feel comfortable answering - it is completely okay and healthy to tell that person no. 
Be clear. It can be tempting to be vague when saying no because it feels less harsh. We’ve all said “we will try to make it” when we have absolutely no intention of going to something. However, being clear from the beginning can help from disappointing others or being disingenuous. 

The secret to setting healthy boundaries is practice. Setting boundaries may feel strange and awkward at first. However, with practice we can find clarity and discernment around kind ways that we can set boundaries with others. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Bethel Haven

    Written by our counselors to help promote your help, hope, healing

    Archives

    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

    Categories

    All
    September 2019

    RSS Feed

Picture
Contact                                                             
​1622 Mars Hill Road Suite A Watkinsville, GA 30677
P: 706-310-9046
​office@bethelhaven.net     
                                                                                                                     
Bethel Haven, Inc.​
Copyright © 2016 ​

Picture
  • Home
  • Giving
  • About Us
    • Services
    • Staff
    • Fee Structure >
      • Fees FAQs
    • FAQs
    • Blog
    • Apply >
      • Employment
      • Internships
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Current Clients
  • No Surprises Act