The Joy and Heartache of Saying Yes

There’s something intoxicating about the tech space — especially when you’re new, eager, and wide-eyed. It’s like stepping into a world where everything is possible: global communities, cutting-edge innovation, endless events, and a seemingly infinite stream of opportunities. For someone like me, who thrives on learning, connection, and growth, it felt like home.

University was where it all began. I said yes to everything — even things I didn’t feel ready for. Clubs, conferences, hackathons, volunteer roles, and late-night brainstorming sessions with strangers who became friends. That “yes” mentality opened so many doors. It made me feel alive and limitless.

And now, as I navigate adulthood, not much has changed — at least not inside me. I still want to show up everywhere. I want to learn from everyone. I want to be part of every conversation shaping the future of tech and society. I still say yes.

But what has changed is that the stakes feel higher now. The pace is faster. The calendar is fuller. The choices are heavier.

Recently, I was offered two incredible opportunities: an invitation to attend an event in Berlin and an acceptance to another in New York. Both were meaningful, aligned with my goals, and deeply exciting. I tried everything to make both happen — cross-checking flights, calculating time zones, looking for funding, and mapping logistics. I wanted so badly to be in two places at once. I wanted to say yes to everything, just like I used to.

But I couldn’t.

And for a moment, I felt crushed.

There’s a particular kind of grief that comes from turning down something you genuinely wanted. It's not just about the event itself — it's about the people you won’t meet, the insights you won’t gain, and the future memories that won’t happen. It’s about the road not taken. And when your heart is wired to say yes, saying no can feel like failure.

But then I paused. And I remembered something I often forget in the rush to do it all:

Choice is a privilege.

Not everyone gets to choose between two doors that could lead to growth and transformation. Not everyone gets invited into these rooms. And not every decision is between something good and something bad — sometimes, it’s choosing between two dreams.

And that’s where the deeper truth lives: you can do anything, but not everything.

No one else can tell me what matters most in my life right now. No one else can decide which path I should take. That responsibility — and that power — lies with me alone. It’s equal parts liberating and terrifying.

I’ve learned that being everywhere doesn’t make you successful. Being intentional does. And while I may always feel a little pang of FOMO when I see posts from events I couldn’t attend, I’m learning to trust my choices. I’m learning that saying no to one thing is also saying yes to something else — deeper presence, deeper alignment, and deeper peace.

And maybe that’s growth: not just collecting experiences, but learning how to choose between them with clarity and courage.

So here’s to making tough decisions.
To honor our capacity.
To feeling FOMO — and still moving forward.

Growth doesn’t come from doing everything. It comes from doing what’s right for you and doing it with intention.

Here’s to being present — wherever we choose to be.