Monday night I had class until 9 PM, before I had to head out on my hour train ride home. The next evening I made dinner plans with my high school friend Rachel. On Wednesday, I stayed at my grandparent’s house to grab some food and to watch a movie. Thursday I made sure to eat dinner at home with my family, before heading over to my friend Nataly’s house to watch Glee. Friday I went out to dinner with my family, before rushing down to Hoboken to spend some quality catch-up time with my boyfriend.
Now, add the fact that I have to study for my graduate classes, write blogs and articles for my part-time work, attempt to go to the gym, and then go to my full-time job 8:30-4:30 during the week… I am exhausted. Am I spreading myself so thin that I will soon break?
Every single day I have now comes with a complete and packed itinerary. I don’t have the time to come home, grab a glass of wine, and just watch a movie with my yellow lab like the good old days. Instead, when I come and finish dinner that means I have to start my school work or run to a friend’s house whom I haven’t seen in awhile.
When it comes to hanging out, what is the fine balance between making sure your family, friends, and boyfriend are all happy? Sometimes it’s clear that out of all the people you see, your family will be the most understanding if you aren’t there. Why is it that they are the ones whom you love the most, yet the first ones you feel you can back out on. I need to get this selfish mentality of mine in check because I realize my family would give anything to see me happy, yet I can’t say the same of my friends. As wonderful as my friends are, it’s my family that understands me and are willing to sacrifice for me and that speaks volumes.
As for my companions, I have about ten girl pals who I try to see regularly. However, they all belong to different “cliques.” I guess I must have been one heck of a social butterfly when I was younger, because so many of my girlfriends don’t hang out with one another. Although I get to hang out with different people all the time, which is a breath of fresh air, the huge disadvantage is that those ten friends create ten different dates on different days. It would be much easier if we all just got along. Maybe I should just throw a big party and include everybody that way I can see the whole gang on one night.
When it comes to my boyfriend, he is definitely understanding. Having a partner who shares the same friend situation and family situation as you, makes everything a lot easier. When I have to cancel on him to go to a family gathering, he completely understands because he knows how important family time is. However, I am the one who wants to see him badly. As a mid-20-something girl who misses my boyfriend as soon as he backs out of my driveway, it is safe to say I try to squeeze him into my schedule at every chance I can get.
When it comes down to it, you have to find the right balance for yourself in order to prevent that break from happening. The one thing I have learned from the past few months is that as long as you are happy, then your head won’t explode like an Austin Powers’ fembot. I realize that my happiness is making others happy. I love showing my family that I enjoy their company as much as they enjoy mine. I love working hard to keep up with the friends who always support me during hard times. I love seeing my boyfriend because he brightens up my day with the mere mention of his name. I love being productive and am proud that I can balance my school work, part-time work, and full-time work. I just have to allow myself that one night with a glass of Ruffino and a viewing of The Sweetest Thing.