Rethink: Learning how to flex your “no” muscle

People pleasing, setting boundaries, and when saying “yes” is a lie.

Dear Rethinkers,

How often do you mutter the words “I’m flexible,” or “I’m easy”? I say these words a lot. I’ve always thought of this as a positive side of my personality – easy-going, and accommodating of others. However, on diving into fascinating research on pleasing people, I started to challenge my assumptions about where the need to please comes f…