Ever felt awkward asking for money you lent? Or guilty turning down an unreasonable request?

You’re not alone.

These moments often carry emotional weight—rooted in our fear of conflict, need to be liked, or discomfort with setting boundaries.

Let’s break it down:
🔸 Asking for your money back isn’t petty—it’s protecting a boundary. Lending is a commitment; repayment is respect.
🔸 Saying no isn’t rude—it’s self-care. Always saying yes to others often means saying no to ourselves.
🔸 Asserting yourself isn’t confrontation—it’s clarity. Peace at the cost of your discomfort isn’t peace at all.

So, what can we do?
✅ Treat boundaries as bridges, not walls
✅ Be kind and firm
✅ Practice small acts of self-respect, without guilt

The Bottom Line:
You don’t owe anyone your discomfort just to keep things “smooth.”
Saying no is not selfish—it’s necessary.

Let’s normalize self-respect.
Let’s normalize “no.”
Let’s normalize asking for what’s fair.