How Do I Know I'm a Yes Person?

Mairy Team

Feb 20, 2025 — 4 min read

Introduction

Have you ever found yourself saying “yes” to plans, tasks, or favors even when you don’t really want to? Do you struggle to say “no” without feeling guilty? If so, you might be a yes person—someone who prioritizes others’ needs over their own, often at the expense of their well-being.

While saying yes can open doors to new opportunities, constantly agreeing to everything can lead to stress, burnout, and a lack of personal boundaries. In this blog post, we’ll explore the signs of being a yes person, why it happens, and how you can set healthy boundaries without feeling rude.

What is a Yes Person?

A yes person is someone who finds it difficult to decline requests, often agreeing to things out of habit, guilt, or fear of disappointing others. They may take on more than they can handle, leading to exhaustion and resentment.

While being agreeable is a positive trait, it becomes a problem when:

You overcommit and struggle to complete tasks.
You prioritize others’ needs over your own well-being.
You feel guilty or anxious when saying no.

Understanding whether you are a yes person is the first step to regaining control over your time and energy.

Signs That You Are a Yes Person

If you relate to several of the points below, you may have people-pleasing tendencies:

1. You Struggle to Say No

You feel pressured to accept every request, even when it inconveniences you.
You worry about disappointing others if you decline.

2. You Often Feel Overwhelmed

Your schedule is packed with commitments you don’t enjoy.
You feel mentally and physically exhausted from trying to do everything.

3. You Avoid Conflict

You agree to things to keep the peace, even if it makes you uncomfortable.
You say yes out of fear of upsetting or offending someone.

4. You Feel Guilty When Prioritizing Yourself

You put others' needs before your own, even when you need rest.
You feel selfish when you set boundaries.

5. You Seek Approval from Others

You crave validation from others and worry about their opinions.
You fear being seen as unhelpful or unkind if you say no.

If these signs resonate with you, it might be time to learn how to set healthy boundaries and take back control of your decisions.

Why Do People Struggle to Say No?

There are several psychological and social reasons why people find it difficult to decline requests:

Fear of Rejection: Worrying that saying no will make others like you less.
Desire to Please: Wanting to be seen as kind, helpful, or reliable.
Cultural Expectations: Some cultures encourage self-sacrifice for the sake of harmony.
Lack of Boundaries: Not knowing how to say no without feeling uncomfortable.

Understanding why you struggle with this can help you address the root cause and make lasting changes.

How to Stop Being a Yes Person

Overcoming the habit of saying yes too often requires self-awareness and practice. Here are some strategies to help:

1. Set Clear Boundaries

Decide what is truly important to you. If a request doesn’t align with your goals or values, it's okay to say no.

2. Learn to Say No Politely

You don’t have to be rude to decline a request. Here are some ways to say no:

“I appreciate the offer, but I won’t be able to commit to this.”
“I have too much on my plate right now.”
“I’d love to help, but I need to focus on my priorities.”

3. Take Time Before Answering

Instead of immediately agreeing, say:

“Let me check my schedule and get back to you.”
“I need to think about it before deciding.”

This gives you time to consider if it’s something you genuinely want to do.

4. Prioritize Self-Care

Remember, you can’t help others effectively if you’re burnt out. Make sure to take care of your mental and physical well-being.

5. Use Mairy to Manage Priorities

If you struggle to balance everything, Mairy can help. As a daily mood diary, Mairy allows you to track your commitments, priorities, and emotions, helping you recognize patterns of overcommitment and stress. By using Mairy, you can:

Identify when you are saying yes too often.
Organize your tasks and set clear priorities.
Reflect on your emotional well-being and take action.

With Mairy, managing your schedule becomes easier, giving you the confidence to say yes to what matters and no to what doesn’t.

FAQs About Being a Yes Person

1. What does it mean to be a yes person?

A yes person is someone who struggles to say no, often taking on too much and prioritizing others over themselves.

2. Is it bad to be a yes person?

Not necessarily. Saying yes can lead to great opportunities, but if it comes at the cost of your well-being, it’s important to set boundaries.

3. How can I say no without feeling guilty?

Practice polite refusals, remind yourself that your time is valuable, and use Mairy to keep track of your priorities.

4. Can being a yes person lead to burnout?

Yes, constantly agreeing to things can lead to stress, exhaustion, and even resentment.

5. What are some ways to start setting boundaries?

Start small by saying no to minor requests, use phrases like “I don’t have time right now,” and track your commitments using Mairy.

FAQs About Mairy

1. What is Mairy?

Mairy is a daily mood diary that helps you track your emotions, priorities, and commitments, making it easier to manage your life and say yes to what truly matters.

2. How can Mairy help me stop overcommitting?

Mairy allows you to track patterns in your commitments and mood, helping you recognize when you’re taking on too much.

3. Can Mairy help me prioritize tasks?

Yes! Mairy’s priorities feature helps you organize tasks, set goals, and ensure you’re focusing on what’s most important.

4. Is Mairy easy to use?

Absolutely! Mairy is designed with a simple, user-friendly interface, making it easy to log your mood, track commitments, and manage priorities.

Conclusion

Being a yes person can lead to stress and overwhelm, but learning to set boundaries is key to a balanced, fulfilling life. By recognizing the signs, understanding the reasons behind your habits, and using tools like Mairy to manage your priorities, you can confidently say yes to the things that truly matter—and no to what doesn’t.

Take the first step today by reflecting on your commitments and using Mairy to track your progress. Your time and well-being are worth it! 💛

Would you like to learn more about Mairy? Check it out here!