When you were a kid, I'm sure you were told "no" at one point or another. Whether to a purchase of a toy, playdate or dessert, this denial of your desire probably resulted in an upset in one form or another. I vividly remember screaming on the Barnes and Noble floor over a book I wanted and giving my mom the silent treatment for an hour when she wouldn't let me have a piece of Dubble Bubble. It's silly, right? But the truth is, no one likes being told no. Ever. And though our reactions currently may be softer than the temper tantrums of our childhood, it's still upsetting to be told no. However, perhaps even more upsetting than being the one on the receiving end, is being on the giving end of the denial. To say no is really, really difficult. We fear what could come from saying no: criticism, rejection or appearing selfish or cold. But with seemingly more and more people feeling burned out and overwhelmed each year, placing limits and setting boundaries are becoming incredibly important for us to utilize. You cannot do everything. And that's okay.

So, let's start with the basics...