Learn the word 'No' and stick by it.
Lately, I’ve seen a lot of people talking about how they’re being ‘pressured’ into doing things they do not want to do, and I want to make sure things like this cease to happen.
Even if you’re the eager to please, want-to-make-everyone-happy type, YOU ALWAYS COME FIRST.
Here are some important things that everyone needs to remember and realize:
You’re allowed to have a comfort zone and you should never feel pressured or obligated to go outside of it.
If you are not comfortable, you have the right to say no and cease the activity at any point in time.
If someone is pressuring you, you have every right to tell them ‘no’ with no obligation for giving an explanation. If someone continues to bother you about it, they’re nearing harassment, and that’s not cool.
If you’re ever feeling pressured, here is something to say:
I do not appreciate you constantly bringing this subject up when you know I will not do it and it does not make me comfortable. I would very much appreciate it if you would stop bringing it up and respect my right to say ‘no’.
Though people may become angry or upset at you telling them ‘no’, as many people I’ve seen do, just block them. It’s not worth your mental health or being stressed about.
Also, do not think you cannot get out of situation because you said ‘yes’ at first. You can always revoke that yes. Always. ALWAYS.
If this is ever the case, here is something to say:
I know I agreed to doing this at first, but I am extremely uncomfortable and no longer want to do it.
Simple. And again, if someone gets all in a huff because of it, just block them if need be. You don’t have to tolerate negativity because you said no.
I also want people to know that even if the roleplay is overall amazing, but some things your partner has asked you to do lately is making you uncomfortable but you don’t want to lose this amazing roleplay–ITS. NOT. WORTH. YOUR. HEALTH.
I guarantee you that you can find a better roleplay partner who respects you and your decisions AND give you just as an amazing, if not better, roleplay, too. So, please, please understand this.
To the people who are guilty of pressuring people into doing something they are not comfortable with–shame on you. Shame on you for pushing someone out of their comfort zone to cater to your wants. It’s incredibly rude and I want to throw my keyboard at your face every time I see it happen or someone approaches me telling me that their partner is doing this to them.
Don’t be an ass. Like, just don’t. Respect people’s right to say no, especially when roleplay is a HOBBY. No one has to do anything they don’t want to do, especially in something that is supposed to be fun.
Yeah.
TLDR; You can say no and you shouldn’t have to feel guilty about it, and throw your keyboard at people who are mean to you because you said no.
