By Maurice Carroll
Children typically start saying “no” between ages 1 and 3. It is a normal and healthy part of their psychological and cognitive development. It signals milestones in independence and self-awareness. They quickly learn that the word “no” has power and will get a reaction from an adult. Saying “no” is ultimately a sign of them growing, learning and navigating the world around them. It seems that as we age, something happens with our reasoning which makes saying “no” more challenging.
I’ve noticed how society keeps preaching acceptance and inclusivity. Social media and politics push this whole “no judgement” vibe while they are simultaneously contradicting themselves. It’s starting to sound like “you must agree… you must accept.” It is everywhere from what you should eat and not eat, what’s appropriate and inappropriate to wear, flat earth vs round earth. We are bombarded with this and sometimes we lose ourselves in it all. It’s stressful both subconsciously and consciously.
Here in the U.S., there are freedoms that are intended for all to have. Accepting “no,” for yourself–as a complete sentence– is a form of cognitive development. We often tend to give reason to our “no” in different ways, but the truth is that “no” is a complete sentence. You can set boundaries for yourself by using this word both internally or aloud. If you have worked it out within yourself, you can set peaceful boundaries for yourself. You can say “no” without being disrespectful and without the burden of explaining yourself without guilt.
Be mindful of your ego when you say “no.” Your ego can cause you to communicate in ways that can be received as negative. If you are mindful of your ego, you get to control your tone, volume and energy behind the intention. Here’s a quick example. Imagine you’re being offered a bite of food that, in the past, has made your stomach turn and left the most undesirable taste in your mouth. Frowning your face and making a regurgitation sound while saying “no” could be misinterpreted as “over the top.” But a smile and a calm version of “no,” like “I’m good” gets the same result. The beauty of being aware of your ego is understanding that you get to choose how you react.
In the age of information overload, it is easy to get caught up in over explaining. I have been guilty of this one myself in the past. Your “no” doesn’t have to be followed by an explanation. You can provide one if you’d like but it isn’t required. An example would be “no, I don’t want to go because…”
“No” is a complete sentence and it can be said with grace and without explanation.
Return to your childhood by thinking of it as protecting yourself and psychological and cognitive development. You don’t have to accept the guilty feeling you may experience from saying “no.” Reframing your mindset around it can be extremely helpful in 2026.