“There are times when saying “yes” to our own needs, we must say “no” to the needs of others.
In other words, when you say yes to someone else’s needs, what are you denying yourself? Time, money, resources, energy or attention? There’s a trade off in some way.
Recently, Simone Biles and Naomi Osaki, both top professional athletes, said yes to taking care of their own mental health needs. In doing so, they said no to the public’s need to see them perform. They showed incredible strength to take care of themselves in full view (and some criticism) of millions of people.
Some have argued they demonstrated weakness in not being able to handle the extreme pressure. I disagree . I heard a journalist say about Simone Biles, “it was just mental health, not physical.” For athletes performing at these highest levels, the mental component is essential for top performance. Mental health issues statistically affect a high number of athletes and the rest of us, and may show up at substance abuse, depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, or physical harm.
I commend these two women for their courage and wisdom to put their own needs at this time over the needs of others. Something I wish I’d learned decades ago. But I get it now.
