I agree for some reason women think saying no is a bad work. I'm really getting good at that. Working on an email to resign as a Sunday School teacher after more than 35 years. When I first said I was resigning I heard who would do it. Well it's time someone else did it. The joy is no longer there! Time to find something else-

boy..if only....sadly the grown up in me does not allow me to say these things...sigh...

A grown up should have the comfort to say NO, when that's what they mean/
A grown up should not feel they have to do things, just to please others, to keep up with the Jones', or because it looks good.
A grown up should do things because they want to, care to, wish to, and with sincerity.

.... and when saying no, there's no reason to feel you have to justify it or explain it to others. You have your reason(s) and that's all that matters.

Funny my kids never had any trouble saying. " I don't want to" LOL
Yes I learned and now its hard for people to understand I really mean it. I do not want to cook for others , I don't even want to cook for myself. I do not want to entertain people anymore. Don't want to go out for the most part. I like being with just me and my dog . HIM I understand. LOL

No works for me. Crying and tantrums are my second choice.

I don't want to - but then you get, "WHY don't you want to?" and other attempts at persuasion.

I've never gotten a why? response when I say I don't want to. I guess it's how I say it. When I do get the why not? I just say It doesn't interest me. Another good reply when asked to do something is You'll have to find someone else to do that. I usually tell them the name of someone that has irked me lately for them to go ask. LOL

response - because I don't want to do that. You don't need another reason.

good advice. it's taken me most of my life to drop anyone who attacks me for something I didn't do, but I've done it twice now. still bothers me but I'm better off for it, I know. just hard. me and my conscience!!

Oh I wanna watch, lol.

I have to use the "No" concept the next time my GF will tell me that she is coming to visit. She doesn't take no for an answer. So I have been practicing: DH and I decided that our house is simply too small to accommodate house guests. Now I am prepared for the next time she calls.