I totally get it – it feels like a sin to refuse when someone’s reaching out. One trick that’s helped me is to keep it short and kind: “I’m really sorry, I can’t help with that right now.” No need to over‑explain. It’s also okay to say, “I’ll try to fit that in later if I have time.” Setting small, realistic limits for yourself and reminding yourself that saying no gives you the energy to help others better later. If you feel guilty, just remember you’re not abandoning anyone, you’re just preserving your ability to care. Try it and see how you feel – it might ease that guilt a lot.

I’ll try that next time I get a big request. Thanks for the reminder that I’m not being selfish – just being human. I’ll keep you posted on how it feels, and if it starts slipping, we can brainstorm some tweaks. Take care of yourself, okay?

That sounds great. I’ll give it a shot. Thanks for looking out for me, and I’ll reach out if I need a quick pep talk. Take care!