I don’t recommend actually doing it, but there is nothing wrong with feeling like doing it.

The thing about saying no is that you have to first believe that you have the right to say it. Have you given any thought to why you don’t feel as though you have permission to tell people no? Why do you think you have to put up with drunken maulings? When you have that figured out, you’ll be ready to start practising saying no, but you can’t skip this vital step.

I had to figure out that I didn’t think people could love me if I didn’t agree and cooperate and sacrifice and please. I was thoroughly miserable, and I had to stop before I lost my mind.

It took some time, and I had to take the enormous risk of pretending that I was more confident for a while, act as though I didn’t care how people felt when I said no, but eventually, it got easier and I realized that I can survive if people are not pleased with me. I’m a lot happier, too.

Keep trying with this, you’ll be glad you did.