Why I Say No More Often Now

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                                                                       BOUNDARIES



There was a time when “no” felt like a bad word.

When I bent and folded myself to fit into everyone else’s expectations—just to be liked, accepted, seen as reliable, strong, “fun.”

I said yes when I was exhausted.

Yes when my body was screaming.

Yes even when my heart said, Please, not this time.


Then fibromyalgia walked into my life like a wrecking ball.

Everything changed.

Suddenly, I couldn’t keep up with the pace I used to call “normal.”

I wasn’t lazy—I was in pain.

I wasn’t distant—I was drained.

And I wasn’t choosing myself—I was still choosing everyone else.


Until I couldn’t anymore.


Something had to give. And it wasn’t going to be my soul.


So, I started saying no.


No, I can’t come over today.

No, I’m not explaining my pain to someone who chooses not to understand it.

No, I won’t apologize for putting my health first.

No, I don’t need to justify why I can’t carry your emotional baggage or be your superhero anymore.


That was the day I realized boundaries aren’t walls—they’re doors.

They lead me back to myself.


Fibromyalgia forced me to slow down, but it also taught me something deeper—how to honor my body’s whisper before it becomes a scream.

How to say yes to peace, and no to pressure.

How to protect my limited energy like it’s sacred—because it is.


And yes, people may not always like the boundaries.

Some may leave.

Some may call me “difficult” or “selfish.”

But I’m no longer breaking myself just to make others comfortable.


I’ve learned that real love doesn’t ask you to sacrifice your health to prove your worth.

Real friends understand.

Real peace is quiet, not loud and people-pleasing.


So now, I say no more often.

Not because I don’t care—but because I finally do.

I care about me.


To my fellow fibromyalgia warriors, and to anyone who’s learning the hard way:

You don’t need to over-explain.

You don’t owe anyone access to your energy.

Your “no” is a complete sentence.

And your healing is reason enough.


You’re not selfish—you’re surviving.

And that’s more than enough.


Follow me on twitter for updates https://x.com/FlareflourishF

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