How can you start saying “no”?

First, give yourself time to process a request.

Delaying the decision, whether for an hour or a week, with “I’ll get back to you” or “let me check” removes urgency from the situation where you might feel pressured to answer “yes” on the spot.

It also gives you time to get in touch with your own needs as well as that sometimes elusive “gut” instinct, making sure you give fair consideration to what’s best for yourself.

and after you do all that/ where you commit the saying "NO"--

they hit you they slap you they scar you

you still say "no"

they hit they slap they scar

you start to fight back and say "stop" screaming THEIR NAME WHAT ARE YOU DOING --JUST STOP

YOU PUSH THEM OFF AND THEY HIT THE GROUND THE SCREAM AND WAIL/IN INJURY/IN PAIN

YOU HELP THEM UP YOU HUG THEM SOOTH THEM APOLOGIES

THEY'LL HOLD THIS OVER YOUR HEAD PROJECT THEIR PAIN LEVEL ON YOU FOR DAYS MAKE LITTLE TO KNOW COMMENT ABOUT YOU

YOUR FACE YOUR SCARS YOUR FEELING

ALL UNNOTICED YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY

YOU'RE NOTHING MORE THAN A ciS-man NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS

1 YEAR 8 MONTHS 5 DAYS I AM STILL WAITING TO RECOVER

I GUESS

With practice, you’ll become more empowered and better equipped to lead healthy relationships with others.

1 YEAR 8 MONTHS 5 DAYS I AM STILL WAITING TO RECOVER

ND WHEN I DO RECOVER HOW DO I TRUST ANYONE?