How can I say No without feeling broken?
Boundaries and Truth -Ask Liza Express Answers
Feeling broken when you say “no” often comes from a history where your boundaries were ignored, punished, or overridden. If you learned early that compliance was safer than resistance, your brain interprets “no” as danger or disapproval. You fear disappointing others because, at some point, your survival depended on keeping the peace.
Saying no becomes emotionally expensive because you equate it with rejection, conflict, or abandonment. But boundaries are not barriers—they’re clarity. They define where you end and where the other person begins. A healthy “no” protects your energy, your peace, and your emotional integrity.
The key is reframing boundaries as alignment, not aggression. You’re not rejecting a person; you’re honoring yourself. And in healthy relationships, the right people don’t punish your “no”—they respect it.
Start with small boundaries and build emotional muscle. Practice saying:
“That doesn’t work for me.”
“I need more time.”
“I’m not comfortable with that.”
Selftrust grows when you see that the world doesn’t collapse because you honored your truth. The more you practice, the less guilty you feel.
A strong “no” is not a sign of brokenness—it’s a sign of selfrespect. And people who value you will never make you feel guilty for protecting your peace.
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