13 Signs That You Need More Free Time

You Chafe at Being Asked a Favor or Commitment

You usually love to help or be involved. But if a friend asks you for a favor and your immediate reaction is a ninja time computation in your head ("feeding her cat will take me 15 minutes with a half hour commute each way, which is an hour and 15 minutes each day for three days!"), or a tinge of resentment because you're pulled in so many different directions, then you're too busy. We definitely believe in mastering the ability to say no, but having some wiggle room in your life to be there for others is enriching for youand your relationships. This also applies to social engagements, volunteering, and other relationship and work commitments.

Try this: Assess the request. Plenty of commitments fall into the time-consuming and non-gratifying category—pass on those. But ask yourself if the service or event is something you wish you had the time to do, or would have gladly said yes to a while back. If you're saying no to too many of these kinds of requests, your schedule may be preventing you from enjoying or being there for others.