--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have learned that it's OK for me to say…" description: "\"I have learned that it's OK for me to say no to things.\" — Motsi Mabuse" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81f/motsi-mabuse-13980_i-have-learned_i-have-learned-that-it-s-ok-for-me-to-sa_1949291.png" --- # I have learned that it's OK for me to say no to things. ![“I have learned that it's OK for me to say no to things.” quote by Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81f/motsi-mabuse-13980_i-have-learned_i-have-learned-that-it-s-ok-for-me-to-sa_1949291.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81f/motsi-mabuse-13980_i-have-learned_i-have-learned-that-it-s-ok-for-me-to-sa_1949291.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81f/motsi-mabuse-13980_i-have-learned_i-have-learned-that-it-s-ok-for-me-to-sa_1949291.png) > “I have learned that it's OK for me to say no to things.” [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recognizing personal limits and feeling comfortable declining requests protects wellbeing and focus. **In simple terms:** Saying no is healthy. Key Takeaway Set boundaries confidently. Themes self‑care assertiveness boundaries Mood reflective empowering Type advice motivational When to use this quote - workload management - social obligations - family commitments Key Concepts personal agency decision making Questions to Reflect On - When do you need to say no? - How can you decline kindly? A Different Perspective Saying no can strain relationships if not communicated thoughtfully. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) ## Related quotes > [I've learned that it's OK to be flawed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winona-ryder/i-ve-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-flawed/) [Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winona-ryder/) > [I refuse to say things behind people's backs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-refuse-to-say-things-behind-people-s-backs/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [I have learned that I will not pay any attention to anything people say about my movies, because people say things that are all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-sorrentino/i-have-learned-that-i-will-not-pay-any-attention-to-anything-people/) [Paolo Sorrentino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-sorrentino/) > [I have learned that music comes in all shapes and sizes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-ripley/i-have-learned-that-music-comes-in-all-shapes-and-sizes/) [Alice Ripley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-ripley/) > [I have to say that the biggest lesson I have learned is to find your way to stand out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zelina-vega/i-have-to-say-that-the-biggest-lesson-i-have-learned-is-to-find-your/) [Zelina Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zelina-vega/) > [I have learned so much from God that I can no longer call myself a Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Jew.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hafez/i-have-learned-so-much-from-god-that-i-can-no-longer-call-myself-a/) [Hafez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hafez/) > [I have learned that what I have not drawn, I have never really seen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-franck/i-have-learned-that-what-i-have-not-drawn-i-have-never-really-seen/) [Frederick Franck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-franck/) > [I have learned to take things as they come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohanlal/i-have-learned-to-take-things-as-they-come/) [Mohanlal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohanlal/) > [And this I have learned grown-ups do not know the language of shadows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-whiteley/and-this-i-have-learned-grown-ups-do-not-know-the-language-of-shadows/) [Opal Whiteley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-whiteley/) > [I think it was always there and it was maybe a matter of bringing it out. It was harder than I thought it would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-lafleur/i-think-it-was-always-there-and-it-was-maybe-a-matter-of-bringing-it/) [Guy Lafleur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-lafleur/) > [Through my work with PETA, I have learned a great deal about chimpanzee behavior and the plight of chimpanzees imprisoned in laboratories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/through-my-work-with-peta-i-have-learned-a-great-deal-about/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [I have learned a lot over the years. I have learned how best to use my attributes. That comes with a bit of knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-murray/i-have-learned-a-lot-over-the-years-i-have-learned-how-best-to-use-my/) [Glenn Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-murray/) > [I have learned from my mistakes and become older.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varg-vikernes/i-have-learned-from-my-mistakes-and-become-older/) [Varg Vikernes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varg-vikernes/) > [I have learned from all of my coaches, and I am sure I will learn a lot with Guardiola.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xabi-alonso/i-have-learned-from-all-of-my-coaches-and-i-am-sure-i-will-learn-a/) [Xabi Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xabi-alonso/) > [Belief isn't always easy. But this much I have learned--- if not enough else--- to live with my eyes open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/belief-isn-t-always-easy-but-this-much-i-have-learned-if-not-enough/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) ## More by Motsi Mabuse > [I have found clarity in my head and heart from being a mum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/i-have-found-clarity-in-my-head-and-heart-from-being-a-mum/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [Once you've been in the public eye, you are always going to be criticised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/once-you-ve-been-in-the-public-eye-you-are-always-going-to-be/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [I'm not the kind of judge where you get away with everything, because I know my basics. But I'm the judge where, if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/i-m-not-the-kind-of-judge-where-you-get-away-with-everything-because/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [You learn not to take things personally, but it can be hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/you-learn-not-to-take-things-personally-but-it-can-be-hard/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [There's no stopping same-sex dancing couples. I don't understand how people being happy can affect others so much - just let them be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/there-s-no-stopping-same-sex-dancing-couples-i-don-t-understand-how/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [In Germany, you have to see that there are not a lot of black people in the media. I am a tiny bit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/in-germany-you-have-to-see-that-there-are-not-a-lot-of-black-people/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [My favourite part of Christmas is being together as a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/my-favourite-part-of-christmas-is-being-together-as-a-family/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [I just want my daughter to grow up in a society where she feels accepted being South African, German and Ukrainian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/i-just-want-my-daughter-to-grow-up-in-a-society-where-she-feels/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [The biggest issue for me has been the language because I speak so much German now. I've had to focus on my English and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/the-biggest-issue-for-me-has-been-the-language-because-i-speak-so/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [Our parents made a lot of sacrifices because dancing is not the cheapest sport. The dresses are expensive, so my mum learned to sew,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/our-parents-made-a-lot-of-sacrifices-because-dancing-is-not-the/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [In a way, it is easier to be the younger sibling, as the older one has to pave the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/in-a-way-it-is-easier-to-be-the-younger-sibling-as-the-older-one-has/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [People usually first ask me about 'Let's Dance' and then they ask me about my decollete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/people-usually-first-ask-me-about-let-s-dance-and-then-they-ask-me/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [I don't get that involved in politics because I'm in my dance bubble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/i-don-t-get-that-involved-in-politics-because-i-m-in-my-dance-bubble/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [I've learnt the power of words. I've had the worst thrown at me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/i-ve-learnt-the-power-of-words-i-ve-had-the-worst-thrown-at-me/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) > [I've learnt to not look that deeply into what people say as it's mostly a reflection of themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/i-ve-learnt-to-not-look-that-deeply-into-what-people-say-as-it-s/) [Motsi Mabuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) [Explore all 48 Motsi Mabuse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/) ## More I have learned quotes > [I have learned so much from my dad. Perhaps the biggest thing I've learned from my dad is how to be prepared at all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-sekulow/i-have-learned-so-much-from-my-dad-perhaps-the-biggest-thing-i-ve/) [Jay Sekulow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-sekulow/) > [Belief isn't always easy. But this much I have learned--- if not enough else--- to live with my eyes open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/belief-isn-t-always-easy-but-this-much-i-have-learned-if-not-enough/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one's wife happy. First, let her think she's having her own way. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/i-have-learned-that-only-two-things-are-necessary-to-keep-one-s-wife/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [I have learned from all of my coaches, and I am sure I will learn a lot with Guardiola.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xabi-alonso/i-have-learned-from-all-of-my-coaches-and-i-am-sure-i-will-learn-a/) [Xabi Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xabi-alonso/) > [I have learned that one should say "Peace!" to those who shout their hatred for one's being and presence or at one's passage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/i-have-learned-that-one-should-say-peace-to-those-who-shout-their/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I have learned over the years that you should never save for two meetings what you can accomplish in one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-have-learned-over-the-years-that-you-should-never-save-for-two/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [I am still determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-washington/i-am-still-determined-to-be-cheerful-and-happy-in-whatever-situation/) [Martha Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-washington/) > [I have learned that trying to guess what the boss or the client wants is the most debilitating of all influences in the creation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-burnett/i-have-learned-that-trying-to-guess-what-the-boss-or-the-client-wants/) [Leo Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-burnett/) > [I have learned from my mistakes and become older.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varg-vikernes/i-have-learned-from-my-mistakes-and-become-older/) [Varg Vikernes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varg-vikernes/) > [I have learned a lot over the years. I have learned how best to use my attributes. That comes with a bit of knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-murray/i-have-learned-a-lot-over-the-years-i-have-learned-how-best-to-use-my/) [Glenn Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-murray/) > [Through my work with PETA, I have learned a great deal about chimpanzee behavior and the plight of chimpanzees imprisoned in laboratories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/through-my-work-with-peta-i-have-learned-a-great-deal-about/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [The steadily inward look leads us all to death, nations as well as persons, and is equally infantile in them all. Perhaps the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margery-wilson/the-steadily-inward-look-leads-us-all-to-death-nations-as-well-as/) [Margery Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margery-wilson/) > [I have no memory for things I have learned, nor things I have read, nor things experienced or heard, neither for people nor events;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/i-have-no-memory-for-things-i-have-learned-nor-things-i-have-read-nor/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-ve-learned-that-you-can-tell-a-lot-about-a-person-by-the-way-he-she/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [ I have learned more \[from Balzac\] than from all the professional historians, economists, and statisticians put together. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-engels/i-have-learned-more-from-balzac-than-from-all-the-professional/) [Friedrich Engels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-engels/) Browse all 761 I have learned quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have learned that it's OK for me to say no to things.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Motsi Mabuse" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/i-have-learned-that-it-s-ok-for-me-to-say-no-to-things/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "I have learned" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/i-have-learned-that-it-s-ok-for-me-to-say-no-to-things/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81f/motsi-mabuse-13980_i-have-learned_i-have-learned-that-it-s-ok-for-me-to-sa_1949291.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81f/motsi-mabuse-13980_i-have-learned_i-have-learned-that-it-s-ok-for-me-to-sa_1949291.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81f/motsi-mabuse-13980_i-have-learned_i-have-learned-that-it-s-ok-for-me-to-sa_1949291.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have learned that it's OK for me to say no to things.” — Motsi Mabuse", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Motsi Mabuse", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motsi-mabuse/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have learned that it's OK...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/i-have-learned-that-it-s-ok-for-me-to-say-no-to-things/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motsi-mabuse/i-have-learned-that-it-s-ok-for-me-to-say-no-to-things/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```