The 5 “NOs” That Changed My Life

Not every “no” life gives you is negative.

Most of the time, it’s a turning point.

Some are silent pushes — nudging you out of your comfort zone, revealing a

new direction… or simply saving you from losing yourself.

In my journey, the “yeses” opened doors.

But it was the NOs that shaped my vision.

Today, I’m sharing five of them — not as a recipe, but as reflections.

These are choices that brought freedom — in my work, in my life, and most

importantly… in my soul.

1. Saying NO to autopilot

There was a time when I was working, producing, delivering nonstop — and still

felt like something wasn’t right.

On the outside, everything looked great.

But inside, something in me was asking for pause.

It wasn’t physical exhaustion — it was something subtler:

That feeling of being constantly busy… and yet distant from myself.

Autopilot is comfortable — until it starts to suffocate you.

It gives the illusion of control — but silences your soul.

Saying NO to autopilot was my first act of courage.

That’s when I stopped living just to get things done — and started looking for meaning.

In what I was doing, thinking, feeling.

This “no” changed everything.

In my personal life, it brought me home again — to presence with my family, to

the small moments that truly nourish us.

In my professional life, it helped me rebuild a career rooted in truth — more

intentional, more aligned, more mine.

And spiritually, it created space for something deeper: a silence that reconnected

me with what truly matters, with what’s eternal — and with the peace of knowing

I was exactly where I was meant to be.

2. Saying NO to paths that don’t align with my truth

Not every trend needs to be followed.

Not everything that looks like success to others will feel like success to you.

And not every reference point is a destination.

Some “opportunities” are just distractions.

I’ve walked paths that seemed right on paper — but felt wrong in my heart.

And the more I walked them, the more I drifted away from myself.

3. Saying NO to people-pleasing

This “no” was a deep liberation.

Because it’s easy to confuse applause with direction.

But validation doesn’t confirm purpose.

I had to learn to separate recognition from alignment.

People may acknowledge what you do — but that doesn’t mean they understand

the depth of why you do it.

And that’s okay.

Everyone has a mission.

And whatever yours is, it’s not meant to fit with 100% of the world.

Let your “why” lead you to your 5Ws and 2Hs.

That’s where you’ll find the what, where, who, when, how and how much that

actually matter.

My life and career changed the moment I stopped softening my vision just to fit

other people’s expectations.

And that applies to everything:

From how you dress to how you work.

From what you share to how you show up.

Your worth isn’t in their eyes.

It’s in the peace you feel when your head hits the pillow.

4. Saying NO to fragmentation

For years, I worried about what others would think.

Until I realized that living like that made me a hostage to their opinions.

I used to split myself into boxes:

The mom. The wife. The professional. The spiritual.

Until I said: no more.

I am one whole being.

And no success is real if it breaks me apart inside.

Now, everything I teach — and live — comes from that place of wholeness.

And that gives me peace.

True positioning doesn’t begin on Instagram.

It begins in the mirror.

5. Saying NO to giving up on reinvention

Even when it felt too late.

Even when I was already “good” at what I did.

Even when the fear of judgment was still there.

Saying YES to a new version of myself required many NOs to things that no

longer made sense.

This “no” is still alive. It’s daily.

It’s a no to rushing.

A no to comparison.

A no to noise and distraction.

It’s the kind of “no” that protects something sacred:

The sensitivity to hear and feel God.

And the more we nurture that sensitivity, the better our choices become.

The lighter life feels.

With time, I learned that living in integrity means aligning our deepest thoughts,

values, and principles with our words and actions.

It means building a life that’s not perfect — but true.

Not copied — but uniquely yours.

If you’re still here, maybe you’re standing in front of a NO that looks like doubt.

Maybe this post is the reminder you needed:

You can change your story at any moment — even now.

With courage,

Priscila Iwama