say yes
because you'll have more fun
I had more fun this weekend than I had in a while. Why? Because I said yes.
I said yes to going to a hip hop dance class.
I said yes to paddle boarding with new friends.
I said yes to trying pickleball for the first time.
I said yes to going on a kayak tour.
The times I have said yes instead of second guessing myself or leaning back on old patterns — like snuggling up on Netflix, watching my latest ‘90s comfort show — have led me to far more joyful experiences than not. I’ve met new friends, visited new places, challenged myself, and just had a lot of fun.
Isn’t that the point of it all? To have fun? I mean, isn’t that what we’re all craving to experience in life — those small and big pockets of fun?
I’ve kind of always known this but I think this weekend sealed the deal for me —that the more you say yes to things, the more fun you’ll have.
Look, let’s not get crazy. I’m not suggesting you say yes to taking drugs or hot wiring a car or doing something like the Brat Pack would’ve done when they were high as kites back in the ‘80s.
But what I am suggesting is that you say yes to something when your default is to say no. When your default is to say, not right now, but maybe another time. When your default is to spend another Saturday night eating the same takeout pizza and watch the same Kate Hudson movie. Pizza and Kate can wait. Your life cannot.
Wow, yes, shit got a little deep. But, not to sound annoying or anything, but I think it’s kind of true. I think our ego can get in the way of allowing life to surprise us when we try to go against type. Sometimes it might even try to stop us from changing our minds from a previous no to a new yes — even if it’s exactly what we need. That’s how comfortable our no’s can be!
For example. Last year around this time, I said yes to going back to waiting tables after not having been in the service industry for a decade. Back in the day, I hated waiting tables. I was a terrible waitress mostly because I didn’t like it. When I hung up my apron from my last shift, I swore up and down that I never would go back to answering to “excuse me, miss!” ever again. I was sure I left my waitressing days behind me.
And yet…when an opportunity to make more money and leave my house on a regular basis (a writer’s dream) came up in the form of a waitressing job at my friend’s restaurant, I surprised myself by saying yes to the job. I was so glad my previous “not on your life” shifted into the affirmative! It was exactly what I needed in terms of money, life experience, and community. And I had a lot of fun!
I listened to the latest episode of “Smartless” today and Nikki Glaser was the guest, and she spoke about how she never really has a five-year plan, but mostly lives her life by saying yes to things that come her way, and I was listening to it, thinking, “Yes!” (Duh!) Because isn’t that the trajectory of life? Just a series of the things we said “yes” to?
So say yes. Yes to the new. Yes to the fun.
That’s the homework this week for our little love yourself challenge. Say yes. That’s it.
Thanks for being here!
Love, Brie
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