The Art of Saying No

In this empowering and light-hearted episode of Heart to Heart with Patty Mulauzi, Patty dives into the often-dreaded but incredibly liberating topic: *The Art of Saying No*. Whether you’re a chronic people-pleaser or just someone who struggles with setting boundaries, this episode is for you! Patty breaks down why saying no feels so hard, shares practical and fun ways to say no without guilt, and encourages listeners to embrace the power of boundaries. From the “Polite No” to the “Funny No,” you’ll learn how to protect your time and energy while maintaining your relationships. Tune in for relatable stories, actionable tips, and a whole lot of laughter as Patty reminds us that saying no isn’t selfish—it’s self-care.  

Transcript

**Heart to Heart with Patty Mulauzi: "The Art of Saying No"**  

*Intro Music: Upbeat, cheerful instrumental music fades in, then lowers as Patty begins speaking.*  

---

**Patty:** (cheerful and warm) Hello, hello, hello, my beautiful listeners! Welcome to another episode of *Heart to Heart with Patty Mulauzi*—the podcast where we keep it real, keep it fun, and keep it 100% relatable. I’m your girl, Patty, and today we’re talking about something that’s equal parts terrifying and liberating: *the art of saying no*.  

*Pause for effect.*  

**Patty:** (laughing) Yes, that tiny, two-letter word that feels like a 10-page essay when you try to say it out loud. Can I get an amen?  

*Pause for imaginary audience response.*  

**Patty:** I see some of you nodding along like, “Patty, preach!” and others are probably like, “Wait, what’s a ‘no’? Is that a new type of latte?” Don’t worry, I’ve been there. Saying no used to be harder for me than trying to resist a second slice of cake at a wedding. And trust me, I *never* resist that second slice. But today, we’re going to break it down, make it fun, and maybe—just maybe—we’ll all leave this episode a little more empowered to say no without feeling like we’ve committed a crime.  

---

*Transition Music: Light, playful chimes.*  

---

**Patty:** Alright, let’s start with the basics. Why is saying no so hard? Is it because we’re afraid of hurting someone’s feelings? Or maybe we’re worried they’ll think we’re lazy, selfish, or—heaven forbid—*busy*? (gasps dramatically) *Busy?!* How dare we have lives, right?  

*Pause for comedic effect.*  

**Patty:** But here’s the thing: saying no doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you a *boundary* person. Boundaries are like sunscreen—they protect you from getting burnt. So, let’s talk about how to say no without feeling like you’ve just kicked a puppy.  

---

*Transition Music: Upbeat and quirky.*  

---

**Patty:** First, let’s practice. I’ll be the person asking you to do something you don’t want to do, and you’ll be… well, you. Ready? Here we go. (clears throat) “Hey, Patty, can you help me move this weekend? I have a piano, a fridge, and 47 boxes of books.”  

*Pause for imaginary audience reaction.*  

**Patty:** Now, the old Patty would’ve said, “Of course! I’ll cancel my plans, wear my back brace, and be there at 6 a.m.!” But the new, improved, boundary-having Patty says… (pauses for effect) “I’m so sorry, but I can’t this weekend. I hope you find someone to help!”  

*Pause.*  

**Patty:** See? No guilt, no excuses, just a simple no. And if they get mad, that’s their problem, not yours. You’re not a professional mover—unless you are, in which case, can I get your number?  

*Laughs.*  

---

*Transition Music: Light and bouncy.*  

---

**Patty:** Now, let’s discuss the different ways to say no. Because, honey, there’s more than one way to skin a cat—though why anyone would want to skin a cat is beyond me. (shrugs) Moving on!  

1. **The Polite No:** “Thank you so much for thinking of me, but I can’t commit to that right now.”  

   (pauses) See? Polite, kind, and firm. It’s like saying no with a hug.  

2. **The Honest No:** “I’d love to help, but I’m already stretched too thin.”  

   (smiles) Honesty is refreshing, like a cold glass of water on a hot day. Or a glass of wine after a long day. Your choice.  

3. **The Funny No:** “I would, but my cat has me on a strict curfew.”  

   (laughs) Humor disarms people. Plus, who’s going to argue with your cat?  

4. **The No-Explanation No:** “I can’t, but I hope it goes well!”  

   (pauses) Sometimes, less is more. You don’t owe anyone an essay on why you’re saying no.  

---

*Transition Music: Soft and reflective.*  

---

**Patty:** Now, here’s the real tea: saying no gets easier with practice. The first time, you might feel like you’ve just told your best friend you hate their cooking. But by the tenth time, you’ll be saying no like it’s your job. And guess what? People will respect you more for it. They’ll know you’re someone who values their time and energy—and that’s a good thing!  

---

*Transition Music: Uplifting and Empowering.*  

---

**Patty:** So, my challenge to you this week is to say no to at least one thing you don’t want to do. It could be as small as saying no to that extra meeting or as big as saying no to lending your cousin money for the third time this month. (pauses) And if you feel guilty, just remember: you’re not saying no to be mean; you’re saying no to be kind to yourself. And you deserve that kindness.  

---

*Outro Music: Warm and inviting.*  

---

**Patty:** Alright, my loves, that’s all for today’s episode of *Heart to Heart with Patty Mulauzi*. Remember, saying no is an art, and you’re the artist. So paint your boundaries boldly, unapologetically, and with a little glitter—because why not? Until next time, take care of yourselves, take care of each other, and practice saying no like the queen (or king) you are. Bye for now!  

*Outro music fades out.*