I used to say yes before I even knew what I wanted.
Before I had time to think.
Before I could feel the tightness in my chest or the pull in my stomach.

“Yes!”
Always smiling.
Always agreeable.
Even when it felt like a no.

But the other day, I did something different.
I paused.

Just for a second.
I didn’t rush to fill the silence.
I didn’t jump in to make the other person comfortable.
I didn’t say yes just to avoid guilt.

I took a breath.
I checked in with myself.
And I said,
“Let me think about it.”

That pause?
It was everything.

It reminded me that I have a choice.
That I don’t owe anyone an instant answer.
That my time and energy matter too.

And honestly?
They didn’t get mad.
They didn’t push.
The world didn’t fall apart.

Saying yes might still come easy to me.
But now I know I can choose when I want to.
Not just when I feel like I have to.

And it all started with one small pause.