Being known as the reliable one isn't a compliment. It's usually code for easiest to manipulate.

Welcome back. We are in the Systems Are Sexy series because systems get us what we want. And today, we want to be less stressed. We want to be less

burned out. We want to be able to give a gracious no when we need to give a gracious no. So you know

that moment when your friend texts you and says, quick favor and your stomach drops? That's not

guilt. That's your boundary alarm screaming. And today we're talking about why you

actually need to listen to it. Now, let's dive back in. We're living in a world where busy still means

fine and yes is the new hello. When did we start wearing exhaustion as our badge of honor? I'm just so

tired. Things are so busy. I don't have any

time to do anything. You know what it is. We've all been there. And you know you're in trouble when your

calendar isn't your to-do list. It's become everyone else's to-do list with their goals on it. And that can

stop. I want to talk to you about something that kept me up at night once I really understood it.

Every time you say yes, when you want to say no, you're teaching the next generation to do the same thing.

And this isn't just about parenting. This is about every young person who's watching how you live.

Think about it. If you're a parent, your kids are watching you run yourself ragged

trying to please everyone else. They see you skip lunch to help Ashley from church with her project.

They watch you cancel your own plans to help someone who didn't plan ahead. They notice when you're

exhausted, but you still say yes to that committee meeting. And what are they learning?

That their time doesn't matter.

That their needs come last.

That saying yes, even when it hurts, is what good people do.

They're learning that love means exhaustion.

That worth means wearing yourself thin.

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