HikerShawn
Member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2025
- Messages
- 45
I'm a local influencer.
I don't like to call myself that but that's what people label me as. A local celebrity, as thy say.
It's for my hiking and outdoor brand.
I'm in magazine, on the news every month, fan a pretty big fanbase, and people come up to take selfies with me.
I love it. I love meeting others. The fans aren't what causes stress.
What causes stress is having to do so much that I can't do my things.
I was board member on at least 10 different non-profits at one time. I was leading multiple group hikes a month. I was asked to write a book and given a crazy deadline. Everyone wanted something, most wanted it for free, and some wanted me to spend money to help them.
It was burning me out and the one thing I loved to do wasn't that fun anymore.
Then I learned how to say no.
The next year, I started saying no. I left non-profits and so no to requests to join new ones. I said no to doing group hikes all the time. I said no to most offers where I would have to provide something for free.
My schedule cleared. My wife and I got to do more stuff together. The things I did say yes to resulted in me earning more money.
I'm happy to report that saying NO can really reduce your stress levels.
Have any of you had a similar experience?
I don't like to call myself that but that's what people label me as. A local celebrity, as thy say.
It's for my hiking and outdoor brand.
I'm in magazine, on the news every month, fan a pretty big fanbase, and people come up to take selfies with me.
I love it. I love meeting others. The fans aren't what causes stress.
What causes stress is having to do so much that I can't do my things.
I was board member on at least 10 different non-profits at one time. I was leading multiple group hikes a month. I was asked to write a book and given a crazy deadline. Everyone wanted something, most wanted it for free, and some wanted me to spend money to help them.
It was burning me out and the one thing I loved to do wasn't that fun anymore.
Then I learned how to say no.
The next year, I started saying no. I left non-profits and so no to requests to join new ones. I said no to doing group hikes all the time. I said no to most offers where I would have to provide something for free.
My schedule cleared. My wife and I got to do more stuff together. The things I did say yes to resulted in me earning more money.
I'm happy to report that saying NO can really reduce your stress levels.
Have any of you had a similar experience?
