Many of us are choosing boundaries, softness, therapy, and slowness.
Not because we’re weak,but because we’ve seen what burnout steals.

“I worked 3 jobs and never complained.”
That wasn’t noble. That was survival.
And we honor our elders struggles by breaking the cycle,not repeating it.

We don’t owe capitalism our energy.
We owe ourselves care, curiosity, and the space to just be.

Capitalism thrives when we’re too tired to question it.
Too tired to dream.
Too tired to build anything outside of work.

Rest, joy, stillness—those are not luxuries. They are needs.
Anyone telling you otherwise is either disconnected or capitalizing on your exhaustion.

Girl I said I know the ancestors are hollering. 🤦🏾‍♀️

What’s your approach to saying “no” with grace? Let’s talk about it in the replies!

Let’s normalize saying “no” with kindness and clarity in 2025. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about respecting each other’s time, efforts, and opportunities. It’s a small action with a big impact.

For those of us organizing events, creating content, or offering partnerships: we notice when people acknowledge us. It’s not about ego—it’s about respect. Even a “no” shows you value the effort and thought someone put into reaching out.

Saying “no” doesn’t have to be awkward. It can look like:

“Thanks for thinking of me! This doesn’t align with my goals right now.”

“I appreciate the offer, but it’s beyond my budget.”

“I’m going to pass, but best of luck!”

I get it: Life is busy. You don’t owe everyone a long explanation. But “Thank you for reaching out, I’ll pass” takes seconds and leaves a lasting impression. The person you decline today might bring you the perfect opportunity tomorrow.

I used to say, “It’s just business, not personal.” But moving forward, I’m taking my respect personally. If I’ve taken the time to approach you with an idea or opportunity, a simple acknowledgment is common courtesy. Respect goes both ways.

As someone who organizes programming, events, and partnerships—and who’s worked with over 1,000 people on projects like my book—I’ve noticed something: out of those 1,000+ people, fewer than 200 responded at all. Not even an acknowledgment of receipt.

Saying “Thank you for thinking of me, but this isn’t a fit” or “This is outside my budget” shows respect. It’s okay to decline with honesty, but no response at all leaves the door closed and locked. And trust me, that silence can speak volumes.