As an adolescent, my abnormally strong work ethic was the source of my busy schedule. I legitimately enjoyed working. I got a job as soon as someone would hire me, started my own photography business at the age of 16 and participated in any extracurricular activity I could. Now at the age of 19, I still work the same job 40-60 hours a week, still, run my business and am a full-time college student.
Being a busy friend is not a role for the weak. My friends rarely ever hear from me and often times my only response to their texts is “I can't. I have to work". Gradually invites become fewer and fewer because my friends have been trained to assume I'm already busy. I won't lie – it's not great.
Some friends are more accepting of my busy schedule than others because they too are busy. Others demand a bit more attention and are almost never busy. It can be extremely challenging to be an attentive and supportive friend whilst managing a crazy schedule. Some friends will fault me for this, some will understand and unfortunately, some friendships will inevitably die off due to lack of contact.
At times I feel like I'm missing out on so much. When I'm consistently busy it's easy to feel like I'm trapped while everyone else goes off and has a good time. It's a terrible feeling, especially as a young adult. However, it's important to remember why I do what I do. In my case, I choose to be busy because I'm working towards the career I hope to one day have. I've sacrificed a good portion of my adolescence for a head start in life. It's not at all easy and it can be extremely frustrating. Regardless, I'm thankful that my friends accept me and my workaholic tendencies.
It's never easy to turn down a good opportunity to hang out. However, the bottom line is that despite my busy schedule I hope each and every one of my friends know that they mean the world to me. Although I am busy I never consider myself too busy to be a friend. I'm genuinely interested in how and what they're doing and I cherish the rare occasions when we do hang out because the rarity makes them just a little more special.
