178. Are You in a Season of Yes or a Season of No?

Is there a right answer?

I remember reading Shonda Rhimes's Year of Yes shortly after moving to San Francisco. In the book, Rhimes discusses how she spent a year saying yes to every invitation, request, and opportunity to play with her children that came her way. She found the experience brought her so much joy as well as new friendships and opportunities. What did I feel when I read this book? Guilt.

I felt guilty because I did not want to say yes. I was tired. At that time, I had a total three-hour commute and loads of paperwork after the workday. The last thing I wanted to do was say yes to anything extraneous.

Michelle and I have realized that life comes with seasons of expansion as well as seasons of contraction, seasons of yes, and seasons of no. In our seasons of yes we bring in new friendships, new hobbies, new opportunities, and new experiences. We remember these seasons fondly as times when we were exploring.

Just as important is the season of no. Derek Sivers puts it eloquently in his piece “No yes. Either Hell Yeah! or no”. Seasons of no are about clearing the calendar, the mind, and the home. No to everything extra! Hell yes or no is minimalism applied to our lives. Our “no’s” create moments of stillness, quiet, and boredom where new insights and ideas grow and flourish. We see this with the collective calendar clearing brought on by COVID-19. Many people report they found clarity in their purpose and direction when they were forced to do less.

What season are you in right now? Yes or no? What insights are you finding from this season of your life? Comment below.

Show Notes:

• No yes. Either HELL YEAH! or no by Derek Sivers

• Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

• Veken Coffee Canister, Airtight Stainless Steel Kitchen Food Storage Container with Date Tracker and Scoop

Community Time

• I, Sammie, am saying no to extra spending!!! Is anyone else trying to reduce their spending? What things have you NOT bought lately? Comment below.

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