The Power of Saying No — Merry Minimalist Christmas

In modern Western culture, saying no can be akin to declaring that orangutans shouldn't be saved or husbands shouldn't do laundry. From a young age, we're encouraged to put our hands up more, participate more, do more. When we ask people how they are and they respond, "busy," we assume they are well. After all, only healthy, active people with a life are busy.

Equating busyness with happiness is perhaps even truer during the holidays. All it takes is a quick skim of popular media and I begin to feel like I'm not busy enough. Images and headlines suggest that I am meant to make dozens of cookies from scratch for the neighborhood exchange and create unique homemade gifts wrapped with environmentally friendly artistry — all while "leaning in" to my scintillating career, feeding my children whole-grain and plant-based meals, and wearing an ugly holiday sweater that is mocking yet flattering.

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