I don’t know about you, but it always happens to me, especially around this time of year. The end of the school year is quickly approaching, you’re trying to get your grades to where they should be, you’re stressed out, losing sleep, barely eating and you just simply don’t think you have time for anything else. But life still goes on. You still have to go to school, work, meetings, practices...and then eat something and do life somewhere in the midst of things. And on top of that, the weather is starting to get nice and all of your friends want to hang out...but you? You don’t have time for that. Life picked up speed a couple months ago and it won’t slow down until it practically slams on the breaks after exams.
1. You sleep...a lot.
You are constantly sleeping, and on Thursday nights when your friends are all out and drunk calling you at 3 a.m., you literally don’t even hear the phone ring...because you are that deep asleep already and have been for hours…
You also don’t ever want to do anything or go anywhere...because what’s better than a nice four hour nap? Uhhh, nothing! This definitely upsets your friends sometimes because you’re awesome and they want to hang out with you, but hey! When I’m sleepy, I get grumpy...so it’s probably for their benefit that we’re always tucked so wonderfully into our amazing beds, doing what we do best!
2. You’re not very good at texting..
.
Your friends get mad at you whenever you read their text message and don’t respond, and let’s be honest...it happens (more than you’d like to admit) almost all the time just because you’re too tired or busy to reply! Whether you’re at work, driving, studying, eating or sleeping, it always seems like someone mus text you whenever you’re busiest and no one can hang out with you or hits you up when you actually have time to breathe! It sucks, but it is what it is.
If you’re friends are really your friends, you still make time for them and you all make it work when the schedules just don’t line up all the time..no matter if that means you plan a 15 min lunch sesh when you're both pressed for time.
3. “I can’t…”
“I can’t :( I’m at…” or “I can’t :( I have…” are staple phrases in your vocabulary, and “No” is a huge part, too. Sleeping, going to class, eating, working, studying, going to practice, having meetings, etc, slowly take over your life and as much as you’d really, really, really like to go out on a Thursday night with all your girlfriends, you just know that it’s not a good idea for your Friday schedule that is so meticulously planned out. You hate not being the cool friend that can do everything with everyone, but that is apart of this crazy thing we call life, and especially this crazy thing that happens when we grow up. Jobs and school take over our social life, and don’t even get me started with being involved in extracurricular activities...
4. You feel alone a lot.
But it’s no one's fault! Your friends are living their lives, and you are living the crazy busy thing you call yours. There is a certain ebb and flow that helps you get through every day and it sets the routine that becomes a comfort zone. However, being constantly wrapped up in this life can have an isolating effect where you feel like you go for very long periods of time without seeing the people that make your life go ‘round. It’s lonely being a student, working, being involved, and trying to keep up with other people besides yourself...but if you’re one of the lucky ones (like me), your friends stick around and support you and your ridiculously loaded planner. So really you aren't alone. It just feels like it sometimes because inanimate objects can't talk back to you...no matter how much you want them to.
5. You are constantly stressed out and on edge.
If you're anything like me (student athlete, sorority member and working two jobs), stress is almost a natural phenomenon. But sometimes being stressed out can seriously affect your relationships with people...I’ve watched it happen first hand in my own life. Having too much on your plate can definitely take a toll on friendships where you’re used to seeing or talking to that friend every single day. It sucks, it really does...but I’ve learned that if a friend can’t handle not being the first priority in your life, they shouldn’t be your friend to begin with! Friends are supposed to be there for you. Support you through all the big-girl decisions...all the times where work takes over your life...when you’d rather go to sleep at 9 p.m. than go out to the club… But we can’t take out our frustrations with our busy lives on our friends, no matter how upset or stressed out we are. These people know us the best and know our lives...it’s not fair for us to stress them out with our problems!
We as the “busy” friends need to make the time to appreciate the people who stand behind us, love us and support us through everything we get ourselves involved in. We need to make sure we stay plugged into their lives and continue to foster the friendship with the people that stick around with us! We need these friends to help us get through the hard times, and to make the fun times ever better. We need these people when we do finally get some down time, that way we have someone to talk to, hang out with and ultimately forget our responsibilities and unwind with. Don't lose them because you're to...well...busy.
