When the Signs are SO Obvious You Can No Longer Ignore Them

When the Signs are SO Obvious You Can No Longer Ignore Them

I’m a lifelong learner—curious about almost everything. Maybe not forever, but in the moment? I can dive into a conversation with almost anyone and be genuinely interested. What they do for work, the podcast they’re loving, their sister’s recent move, or their favorite restaurant in the Keys—seriously, I’m all ears. (And on the rare occasions I’m not, it’s probably more about personality than the topic.)

I share this so you’ll understand how easily I can overdo it with online content. Memberships, courses, webinars, book recommendations—you name it, I’ve probably signed up. When life gets overwhelming, I know it’s time to cull.

A few months ago, I hit that point. I’d said “yes” to TOO much, and while I enjoyed most of it, the sheer volume was... a lot. One membership in particular kept coming to mind as something to let go of. But I dragged my feet. I downgraded my plan, reshuffled priorities, and convinced myself to stick with it because, “It’s good for me!” Every time I thought I was ready to let it go, I’d hear the same arguments in my head:

•   “It’s not that much time every month.”

•   “You pay way more for other groups.”

•   “You made a commitment—you should honor it.”

And I listened. For way too long.

Until one day, I realized I was getting a stomach ache every time I saw an email from this community. “Good grief, woman! What’s it going to take for you to pay attention?!” (That was my higher self, yelling at me. She does that sometimes.)

Even then, it wasn’t easy to end this relationship. Writing that cancellation email was awkward, uncomfortable, and guilt-inducing. I felt anxious, full of FOMO, and like I was somehow letting people down.

But deep down, I knew it was the right decision. I kept reminding myself what I was saying YES to: fewer stomachaches (forehead slap), more lightness in my heart, and space for something else—or for nothing at all. Most importantly, I felt proud of myself for honoring what was best for me. Because here’s the thing: if we don’t show up for ourselves, no one else is going to either. Sometimes, saying no to something is the best way to say YES to yourself.

If this hits home for you, know you’re not alone. It’s easy to think that saying no to a few things we don’t want is enough. But sometimes, it’s deeper than that. Find a supportive friend or family member who knows you well and can help hold you accountable to yourself. Trust me—they’ll recognize what’s not serving you, even if you’re not ready to see it yet.

Remember, every time you say no to something that no longer fits, you’re creating space to say YES to something better—whether that’s joy, peace, or simply a little breathing room. And that, my friend, is always worth it.

Stay Bright ✨