By: Gabriela Yareliz
Do you have any idea how many times I have said ‘no’?
When people and circumstances said I was stuck— no.
When some encouraged me to not pursue higher education— no.
When they told me I wasn’t qualified— no.
When people tried to manipulate me by calling me a ‘bad (fill in with the relevant noun)’— no.
When people said I wasn’t enough because of my lack of a father figure— no.
When doctors said I wouldn’t get better and would get worse and that autoimmune was the end of the road— no.
When people said I couldn’t do better— no.
When others said it was fine because that’s how everyone does it— no.
When others said I wasn’t a medical doctor so I couldn’t possibly understand— no.
When they said to get a vaccine or I’d lose my job— no.
When others said there were only two options— no.
When they acted like they owned me— no.
When they said the logos and brands were equivalent to worth— no.
When it was clear that sticking to values would cost me friends or invitations to other things— no.
When they tried to tell me who I was— no.
When they tried to limit what was possible— no.
When they told me to give up— no.
When the world tries to strip us of autonomy and power— the answer is no.
I am grateful for ‘no.’ ‘No’ has power.
GABRIELA YARELIZ 