Daijiworld Media Network – New York

New York, May 1: In a candid conversation on The Diary of a CEO podcast, Michelle Obama opened up about her decision to skip Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, revealing how it helped her embrace the "art of saying no."

The former first lady, who had long been committed to setting an example and ‘doing the right thing,’ explained that after years of always striving to meet others' expectations, she decided it was time to prioritize herself. “I think I just told myself, ‘I’ve done enough of that,’ and if I haven’t, then I never will. It’ll never be enough. So let me start now,” Michelle shared with host Steven Bartlett, reflecting on her decision to avoid the January 2017 event.

Michelle also confessed that she ‘basically tricked’ herself into skipping the inauguration by ensuring she had ‘nothing to wear.’ She explained, “I was like, if I’m not going to do this thing, I’ve got to tell my team… I don’t even want to have a dress ready.” Had she picked out an outfit, Michelle admitted, she likely would have attended, feeling compelled to do “the right thing.”

However, she emphasized that her decision was not about political resistance, but rather about learning to say no, especially in a world where women, particularly young women, are often expected to put others’ needs before their own. “After all that I’ve done in this world, if I still have to show people that I love my country, that I’m doing the right thing... I am just keeping that crazy bar that our mothers and grandmothers set for us,” she said, stressing the importance of setting boundaries for personal well-being.

Michelle’s reflections highlight the pressure to always ‘go high’ and meet others' expectations, but also the liberation and empowerment that comes with choosing when to step back and say no.