I’m not the girl who says yes to everything. In fact, I’m real good at saying no and getting out of things. Sometimes its for legit reasons, but I also caught myself saying no out of insecurity or because I just hadn’t ever done it before.

But I’ve made the decision to say yes to things that I would shrink back from out of insecurity.

Here are two reasons I want to challenge, if you are a natural “no” person like me, to start saying yes.

1️⃣ Say yes because stretching yourself creates growth.

(Hey, that word there, stretch, that’s one of my words for this year, so I’m learning a bit about this myself.)

You will be a better writer and creator if you stretch yourself. Even if it’s just a little at first. Try something you have done before. Learn something new. Push yourself to speak in front of a group that you would have otherwise shied away from.

Too often we hold ourselves back simply because we are afraid to take that first step.

You can start slow. But take the step.

2️⃣ Say yes because you’ll grow when you help someone else grow.

We are too self-focused. I’m all about self love and self care. For sure. But sometimes we are too concerned with how far we are coming and how good we are doing that we become entirely inward focused.

Helping someone to their dream or in their growth often IS that first step you can take toward your own.

What could you say yes to that you’ve been shrinking back from?

Disclaimer: Saying no is just as important…sometimes even more so, but that’s another story for another day.

Shout out to North Crowley high school’s creative writing classes. You guys are going places!