I knew this woman who was afraid to tell people what she wanted. She didn't know 26__________ to say no. Instead, she got herself tangled in a web of obligations, anxiety, and white lies. She was 27__________ .

28__________ recently, I decided I'd had enough. As an experiment, I began 29__________ up for myself, even at the risk of alienating (疏远) everyone and having 30__________ entire life come crashing down around me.

That didn’t happen.

Here’s what I did: I stopped making petty excuses

Saying “no” is so much easier. if someone asks me to do somethings. I have zero interest 31__________ , I'm polite but honest. The phrase: I’m sorry, I don’t think that’s really 32__________ me,” slips out my mouth faster than some lame excuse.

My friends and family didn't mind. 33__________ I stopped people pleasing, no one cared. A good friend asked me to go for coffee at 5 PM. I was 34 __________to hit the gym. I said," Sorry, I've got things I want to do tonight.” She said,”That’s fine. Maybe another time.”

Learning how to say “no" has added several extra hours to my days, days 35__________ my weeks,and what feels like months to my years. Saying"no has set me free.