- ✋🏾 How to set boundaries with a partner
- ⛔ How to set boundaries
👎🏽A Big List of No
| Name |
|---|
| No, but thank you. |
| No thanks. It was delicious, but I’ve already eaten too much. |
| Not now but another time. Maybe we can go on Saturday? |
| I’d like to but I have to work late this evening. |
| I wish I could but, unfortunately, I already have plans that night. |
| Nope. I don’t have time. Maybe tomorrow. |
| No way. (This is like saying, “No. There’s no chance I would ever do that!”) |
| I’m sorry but we won’t be able to make that compromise. |
| I would love to/like to but our company has a holiday party that night. |
| I’m afraid that I’m not available on Tuesday. |
| No, I’m sorry to say that we aren’t able to change the time of the meeting. |
| I wish I could but I’m unable to make that kind of compromise. |
| We appreciate the offer, however, this is not a good time for us. |
| I’m afraid I can’t meet you today. How about tomorrow? |
| No thanks, I won’t be able to make it. |
| Not this time. |
| Heck no. |
| No way, Jose. |
| Regrettably, I’m not able to. |
| It’s that time of the year when I must say no. |
| It’s a Wednesday. I have a “No on Wednesday” policy. |
| Ask me in a year. |
| I know someone that might be a fit for that. I’ll email you their information. |
| You’re so kind to think of me, but I can’t. |
| Maybe another time. |
| Sounds great, but I can’t commit. |
| Rats! Would’ve loved to. |
| I’m slammed. |
| Perhaps next season when things clear up. |
| I’m at the end of my rope right now so have to take a rain-check. |
| If only it worked. |
| I’ll need to bow out. |
| I’m going to have to exert my NO muscle on this one. |
| I’m taking some time. |
| Thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t. |
| I’m in a season of NO. |
| I’m not the girl for you on this one. |
| I’m learning to limit my commitments. |
| I’m not taking on new things. |
| Another time might work. |
| It doesn’t sound like the right fit. |
| I’m RESTing right now. |
| I’m not sure I’m the best for it. |
| No thank you, but it sounds lovely. |
| It sounds like you’re looking for something I’m unable to give right now. |
| I believe I wouldn’t fit the bill, sorry. |
| It’s not a good idea for me. |
| Not now. |
| I’m trying to cut back. |
| I won’t be able to help. |
| If only I had a clone! |
| I’m not able to set aside the time needed. |
| I won’t be able to dedicate the time I need to it. |
| I’m head-down right now on a project, so won’t be able to. |
| I wish there were two of me! |
| I’m honored, but can’t. |
| NoNoNoNoNoNo. |
| I’m booked into something else. |
| I’m not able to make that time. |
| Thanks, but no thanks. |
| I’m not able to make it this week/month/year. |
| Bye now. |
| I’ve got too much on my plate right now. |
| I’m not taking on anything else right now. |
| Bandwidth is low, so I won’t be able to make it work. |
| I wish I could make it work. |
| Not possible. |
| I wish I were able to. |
| If only I could! |
| I’d love to — but can’t. |
| Darn! Not able to fit it in. |
| Nah. |
| No thanks, I have another commitment. |
| Unfortunately, it’s not a good time. |
| Sadly I have something else. |
| Unfortunately not. |
| I have something else. Sorry. |
| Apologies, but I can’t make it. |
| Thank you so much for asking. Can you keep me on your list for next year? |
| I’m flattered you considered me, but unfortunately, I’ll have to pass this time. |
| And my favorite, “Oh I wish I could help but you know, I bet Claire could help you with that.” |
| Thank you for thinking of me. Unfortunately, it’s just not a match. |
| No, sorry, that’s not really my thing |
| Can I get back to you on that? |
| No, I’d rather you didn’t, but thanks anyway |
| I can’t make it work. |
| It just won’t fit right now. |
| I’m really buckling down on my priorities right now, so I can’t. |
| Sorry, no can do. |
| I only say ‘yes’ to very select opportunities, and unfortunately this doesn’t meet my criteria. |
| The demands would be too much for me. |
| It’s not feasible for me to take this on. |
| I wish I had all the time in the world. |
| My body double can. |
| In another life. |
| My advisors won’t agree to it. |
| I’m not the person you’re looking for. |
| I don’t have an iota of bandwidth left in my brain. |
| If only. |
| N to the O. |
| NO. |
| Sadly, I have something else going on. |
| I have another commitment. |
| I’m afraid I can’t. |
| I don’t have the bandwidth for that right now. |
| I’m honored you asked me, but I simply can’t. |
| Thanks for thinking of me. However, I’m not able to. |
| I’m sorry, I’m not able to fit this in. |
| Unfortunately, I already have plans. Maybe next time! |
| No, thank you, but it sounds lovely. |
Further Reading
