The Power of a Clear Yes in 2026

Our first Take the Mic Tuesday reminded me how powerful it is when women are given space to pause, breathe, and be honest with themselves.

Twenty women gathered virtually for a guided meditation led by Pamela Biasca Losada. Refocus & Rise: A Mindful Start to 2026, centered on three simple but profound practices: Letting Go, Letting In, and Letting Be. 

As we moved through intentional breathing and reflection, I realized how often we hold onto obligations, expectations, and roles out of habit rather than alignment. That awareness stayed with me long after the session ended and became the push I needed to write this blog.

For years, women have been conditioned to be reliable, agreeable, and available. We say yes because we are capable. We say yes because we care. We say yes because we do not want to disappoint, miss an opportunity, or be perceived as difficult.

But somewhere along the way, yes stopped meaning alignment and started meaning depletion.

I see it constantly. Brilliant women stretched thin. Leaders are overcommitted. Impact diluted because energy is scattered across obligations that no longer serve who they are or where they are going.

For me, 2026 is not the year of doing more. It is the year of doing what matters.

There is deep freedom in saying no. There is even more power in saying not right now. And there is clarity in knowing exactly what deserves your yes.

If you are auditing your “yes” list this year, here are some non-negotiables worth protecting and prioritizing:

• Support that is mutual - Not transactional. Not one-sided. Real support that shows up when you need it most… or maybe when you don’t realize you even need it!

• Collaboration that is real - True collaboration that shares power, credit, and responsibility.

• Spaces that strengthen you instead of draining you - Environments where you do not have to explain yourself or prove your worth.

• Relationships rooted in integrity and trust - People who honor boundaries, respect capacity, and value your voice without conditions.

• Communities that normalize honesty - Where you can say “I am tired,” “I am unsure,” or “I am ready for more” without judgment.

Why Brave Women Project Belongs on Your Yes List

Brave Women Project is not about being busy. It is about being intentional. Here is why BWP earns a clear yes in 2026:

• We prioritize retention, not constant recruitment - Our work is designed to keep women supported, visible, and engaged over time.

• We value depth over noise - Meaningful connection and leadership growth means “We aren’t a group you do networking with – we are a community you do life with.”

• We honor real capacity - Participation at BWP adapts professional demands and evolving priorities.

• We foster collaboration, not competition - Women are encouraged to amplify one another, always!

• We create spaces where honesty is allowed - You do not need to have it all figured out to belong here.

In 2026, let “no” be okay. Let “not right now” be respected. And let “yes” be reserved for the people, places, and purpose that truly deserve it. Brave Women Project is here to support women who are choosing alignment over obligation, clarity over chaos, and leadership that lasts.

In case you were wondering what I wrote in my journal after the meditation…

Letting Go: Fear Criticizing myself People, things, and activities that don’t benefit me Letting In: New ideas Saying “yes” to the RIGHT things Asking for help when I need it

Remember, your “yes” shapes your future.

Choose wisely.

xo ~ Kel