When you take a day off, power down the electronics, splurge on an ice cream or even take a well-deserved trip to the beach. And please don’t feel guilty.

An article in the Washington Post stated that how “being busy” is like an addiction. The contributor, Brigette Shulte, shares that a man she interviewed “says he works 72 hours a week because everyone else at his office does; he’s thinking about cutting back on sleep so he can be more productive. A woman says the last time she had a moment for herself was when she went for her annual mammogram.”

The New York Times calls the experience of guilt pushing us (and our children) into a frenetic pace the “Busy Trap.” However on the other side of the coin, cutting back also comes with its share of emotional burdens.

When we choose to say “no” to something, guilt can also rear its ugly head.

The problem is that we are trying so hard to be better, smarter, faster, richer and more popular that we can’t stop the pace of fitting into everyone’s expectations. And that comes with a large heaping of guilt when we believe we don’t.

It’s time for a guilt-free year. It’s time to find ways to spend time wisely.

While it is easy to say you’re going to let go of guilt, it’s a whole other thing to actually do so!

Letting go of guilt and the feeling that you’re being selfish or indulgent when you do something for yourself is integral to self-care.

You’re a vessel through which a healthy and giving energy runs through and out into your community and family. If this vessel becomes blocked, you can’t give anything to anyone.

When you can’t commit or bring your best to whatever the situation, it’s okay to say “no” guilt free.

Kim Monaghan, PCC, RYT, CPBS is the owner of KBM Coaching & Consulting LLC, a boutique Human Resources Consulting and Career Coaching Firm serving a national clientele.