Saying no is easy when you don’t care about the other person. The real challenge comes when the request comes from someone you love. The fear of disappointing them, hurting their feelings, or creating distance makes it harder. But setting boundaries isn’t rejection. It’s choosing honesty over resentment, clarity over guilt.

The key is to be direct but kind. A simple “I can’t right now” or “That doesn’t work for me” is enough. You don’t need to over-explain or justify yourself. If they care about you, they’ll understand. And if they don’t, that’s something to think about.