I've been working since I was probably 8 or 9 because of my dad's business (although I never wanted to) so I was a cashier for his food truck for years before actually being able to apply to a job job. My first one was shitty and it definitely did many illegal things that it shouldn't have done to a 15 year old but that's for another day. I've held around 5 or so jobs almost all being as a cashier or customer associate. I've always been a people pleaser and come to anyone's beck and call when someone needs a fill in at work. But it always made me unhappy considering they would never do the same for me or the rest of the crew would tell me I'd be doing things wrong because they weren't the crew I'd normally work with. I've been at this particular job for a year and the other day they had asked me to fill in for a morning shift. I thought about it… And thought about it and was about to say yes cause I was due for the yearly pay raise I was promised during the hiring interview but I thought to myself… I don't need to prove my worth for that raise and also I'd rather eat my own foot then work with that morning crew. And I said “no I'm unable to do so” for the first time and it felt so…. Invigorating?? It took me over 15 years to realize I can say no. Albight it could've ended with me not having a job but that's the thing they need me and they know that and I know that. So strictly speaking I'm going to keep setting boundaries especially in customer service and food service jobs because damn it's never felt better to say no.