Step 15 - Practice saying NO.

Saying no means having the ability to walk away from people and things that don't serve you, or to set boundaries when someone oversteps. Saying no can be scary when you're empathetic or a people pleaser—you worry about how others will feel, or deep in your heart, you're afraid of losing someone you're not ready to let go of. Just remember: if you're holding onto something too tightly, it wasn't yours to begin with.

How does this show up in dating?

Saying no can take many forms. It might be saying "Hey, I appreciate you wanting to be in a relationship, but I don't feel ready at the moment." Sometimes men get excited about women and pressure them into becoming their girlfriends. Women often say yes when they're not ready because they're afraid of losing the person. It can also be as simple as "No, I can't go to dinner tonight—I need some me time" or as significant as "I don't think this relationship is serving me. I wish you the best"—all without feeling guilty.

How to work on this?

This skill mainly comes down to practice. The good news is that you can start with your friendships. Begin by being selective about hangouts and favors. Remember: you have the power to choose how you spend your time.