Learn to say no

Sometimes I think that the most important piece of self-care is to learn to say no. The way to do it is to say it and then stop talking. Do not give reasons, for some people take reasons as a challenge to overcome. Be polite, say you are sorry (if you are), and then say no. You cannot do everything that everyone wants you to. Trying to do everything will mean that something may not get done as well as it should, and you may end up exhausted and at the end of your rope. It is good to want to help people, and you must take care of yourself first.