I recently completed reading Kelly Corrigan’s memoir, Tell Me More – Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say.  The book has an interesting structure; the author uses 12 different phrases as springboards for her personal stories. 

Among Ms. Corrigan’s “12 Hardest Things” are the phrases “I Don’t Know,” “I Was Wrong,” and “Tell Me More.”

It got me thinking, and inspired by the book, I’ve come up with a list of the 5 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say.

1.  I Need Help.  Not an easy one for me, at all.  I’m used to being in charge, used to being independent, used to being able to handle everything and anything that comes my way.

2.  I Can’t Right Now.  It’s not easy for me to back out of plans or to tell my son I don’t have the energy for a bike ride.

3.  I Need to Rest.  In my head, resting (and it’s extreme – napping) means there’s really something wrong with me.  Anytime I nap, I am sick.  Really sick.  Throwing up, feverish sick.  I am like the Energizer Bunny: I just keep going.

4.  I’m Scared.  I do try to keep it all together, keep my fears in check, not let my emotions blur my logic.  But it’s hard.  Each year seems to bring with it more tests (many of which I’ve never heard of before until it’s time for me to schedule one).  And each time, I’m afraid of what the test will reveal.

5.  No.  A plain and simple reply to a multitude of requests that I don’t want to do, or don’t feel like doing, but do anyway.  

 

And you, dear readers?  What are you learning to say?  Feel free to share in the comments.