As young kids, we were taught to just say no and we do it anytime we feel like it. Bu as time goes by, we tend to abuse it, so we just say no just like thatno ifs or buts.
Then You Get Older, More Experienced, And Hopefully Wiser.
You learn about manners, good moral and right conduct. You learned that sometimes you have to compromise, to do things you don't normally want to do willingly. You realized that other people's feelings matter; and you need to look at them before making decisions.
What you don't always get is how to finding harmony between what you can offer to others and also doing for yourself.
It's great to offer support to others and sacrifice some things once in a while, yet giving your all to everyone eventually won't work.
At some point you'll be left with nothing to offer. You try your best, but you'll feel drained and powerless. You'll attend to them, but it will be sidetracked. You'll say you don't mind, but in truth, you do mind. Why don't you just say no?
You say your time is valuable to you, but its tough when you take in and accept a gazillion notifications and requests from your chats, email, phone and other devices.
You recognize you need to stand up for yourself and say no if you want to be functional or stay sane. Nevertheless you don't wish to let down anyone, or still worse, leave them frustrated when they need your time and services.
Determine from now on the extent of your services you can provide and until when only. You have to accomplish for yourself and then keep up with them.
If someone makes a request which conflicts with your time or that's beyond your capacity, unless it absolutely demands immediate attention, inform them (nicely, of course) that you'd love to help but you have something already importantly planned.
Whatever it may be, it is significant to you. You could only be supportive and helpful for the people around you if you value your needs as much as theirs. If you truly want to make them happy, do whatever you have to do for yourself because the people who enjoy your company and who cares for you want your best interests at heart as much as you want to be there for them.