Is anyone else tired? Go ahead, raise your hands. We should start this conversation off with some good old fashioned honesty. Many of us just barely got our taxes filed on time. Others are literally counting the days until the end of this current school year. This year has brought some amazing moments and it has brought some tremendous challenges.

I don’t think anyone would object to a real vacation free of email, phone calls and the temptation to try to “get ahead” with a little extra after hours work. I have had to exercise the discipline of “unplugging” from work with my own version of a punch clock to keep some semblance of balance in my life. I love the work that I do, but I don’t love the way it sometimes presses its way into my downtime.

Recently, I’ve felt my work tapping deeper into my reserves than normal making it necessary for me to pull back a bit to recharge. It’s hard when people look to you to say yes and leap to action at everything they view as being urgent. They don’t want to hear that you are tired. They don’t want to hear you ask for more time. They want what they want when they want it.

Here’s the thing, my health and well being is not negotiable.

There was a time when I would sacrifice everything to meet the needs of others without regard for my wellbeing. And you know what, people were happy to take what I had to give…and move on to the next well.

That is not how my calling is to be fulfilled.

I take great joy in my service to others, and I will continue to serve all the days of my life. I also accept that I have the responsibility to monitor when it is time for me to retreat and recharge from my source. Yes, that means sometimes I have to say, “No”. That doesn’t mean I don’t care or that I am not interested. What it means is that I am human and I can’t do everything for everyone all the time.

Now here is my challenge to each and every one of you reading this post. If there is someone in your life who you view as your rock, someone who is always there for you in your time of need. Pause from time to time and check to see if they need a break. Chances are they will say no at first because they aren’t used to accepting help. If you love them, you’ll make sure they get the rest they need.

Take care of one another. It’s one of the best things we can do each day.

Marta C. Youngblood is a writer, education and social entrepreneur based in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For more information on her current projects visit https://about.me/MCyoungblood.