Relearning to Say Yes!
Every year for Bell Let's Talk Day, I write a post about mental health. Last year I wrote about how my anxiety actually made me stronger. This year, I want to write about relearning to say yes.
After my anxiety attack, I found myself saying no to almost everything. It was my defense mechanism. I would say no. Then I would think about it. Everything was easier for me this way. It gave me time to think. I hated saying yes to everything and then regretting it. It's easier to turn back on a no then it is to turn back on a yes.
As empowering as it is to learn how to say no, we also need to relearn how to say yes. Saying no is an important step to self-care. However, overusing the power of ''no'' will eventually lead to social and professional exclusion.
We all know that anxiety and depression are on the rise. What's ironic is that self-care books and programs are also on the rise. Please take a moment to read Frank Forencich's explanation. To me that makes a lot of sense. Like previously mentioned, if we say no and we only focus on the self, we lose touch of our ''tribe''. And like F.F. wrote: ''More awareness on the self means less contact with the whole and in turn, more anxiety, stress, and eventually, depression.''
It feels like we are on a pendulum swing. The older generations took care of their children to the detriment of their own health. Now we are being told that the ''self'' should be at the forefront of most of our decisions. We need to find a balance; we need to take care of our tribe and ourselves.
This year, I've really been trying to say yes more often that I'm used to in the past couple of years. It's been tough for a few reasons. First off, I did not want to make the same mistake, yet again, of overwhelming myself with a million projects (I think it came close in November). Luckily, I have a good support system and my wife really helps me see clearly when I do take on too much. Also, I still need to remember that saying yes to everything is part (emphasis on part) of the reason I got into this mess in the first place.
So that's how I feel right now. I'm currently walking a tightrope trying to navigate this newish reality of mine. On one side of the tightrope is the overwhelming-yes and on the other side is the hindering-no. Walking the tightrope has been challenging at times but by no means has it been impossible.
Relearning to say yes has brought on many interesting and worthwhile opportunities. For example, I'm currently spearheading a group that wants to turn Orléans in a physical literacy community. If we succeed, we will bring in 200 000$ for the next 3 years (600 000$ total). Also, I'm taking my Forest and Nature School practitioner certification and I helped co-organize professional development to other physical education teachers.
Relearning to say yes has given me many professional opportunities. Right now, I am going on a social media break until the month of March. I will however still be available if ever anyone needs help or simply needs to talk.
After my anxiety attack, I found myself saying no to almost everything. It was my defense mechanism. I would say no. Then I would think about it. Everything was easier for me this way. It gave me time to think. I hated saying yes to everything and then regretting it. It's easier to turn back on a no then it is to turn back on a yes.
As empowering as it is to learn how to say no, we also need to relearn how to say yes. Saying no is an important step to self-care. However, overusing the power of ''no'' will eventually lead to social and professional exclusion.
It feels like we are on a pendulum swing. The older generations took care of their children to the detriment of their own health. Now we are being told that the ''self'' should be at the forefront of most of our decisions. We need to find a balance; we need to take care of our tribe and ourselves.
This year, I've really been trying to say yes more often that I'm used to in the past couple of years. It's been tough for a few reasons. First off, I did not want to make the same mistake, yet again, of overwhelming myself with a million projects (I think it came close in November). Luckily, I have a good support system and my wife really helps me see clearly when I do take on too much. Also, I still need to remember that saying yes to everything is part (emphasis on part) of the reason I got into this mess in the first place.
So that's how I feel right now. I'm currently walking a tightrope trying to navigate this newish reality of mine. On one side of the tightrope is the overwhelming-yes and on the other side is the hindering-no. Walking the tightrope has been challenging at times but by no means has it been impossible.
Relearning to say yes has brought on many interesting and worthwhile opportunities. For example, I'm currently spearheading a group that wants to turn Orléans in a physical literacy community. If we succeed, we will bring in 200 000$ for the next 3 years (600 000$ total). Also, I'm taking my Forest and Nature School practitioner certification and I helped co-organize professional development to other physical education teachers.
Relearning to say yes has given me many professional opportunities. Right now, I am going on a social media break until the month of March. I will however still be available if ever anyone needs help or simply needs to talk.
