always busy

I realize that I don't post too often. Basically, I work 9 to 5 then play the piano for a couple hours, eat dinner, take a shower and go to bed. Once in a while, I do something active, like go to a drop-in dance class or run on the treadmill.

There doesn't seem to be much time for anything else. And by anything else, I mean something that could be seen as useless...like watching TV, surfing the net, blogging. I do think I lack thinking time. Something that blogging and being on my on own affords me.

B is over a lot. He'll do his thing while I practice, and it's actually a great motivator for both of us to be creative---an accountability of sorts---We do our individual work together and then hang out for a bit at around 11 at night, then go to bed.

I've actually been really stressed out lately. I'm stressed about being stressed.

Let me explain.

I come home with a list of tasks that I need to complete for the night. B suggests something fun to do. I think I can do it, but realize that I can't, because I'll have to go to bed soon. So, a movie that starts at 11 p.m., for instance, is pretty much out of the question. I would much rather read to clear my head of the day's thoughts. Then, I feel bad, because I can't hang out with him. Suddenly, the pressure of one task after another, with no time to just sit and think, really weighs down on me. I don't want B to have to experience me this way. (And it has been happening quite a bit recently.) So, I get even more stressed out because I'm worried that he'll someday get tired of this emotional business, and there really isn't anything I can do about it.

But he says that he doesn't mind at all; the degree to which I make him happy outweighs any moments he spends dealing with my stress.

I think a lot of this has to do with adjusting to the fact that there's another person here all the time. I can't hide how I'm feeling. I used to be able to, but I no longer see the point. Like me for who I am and all my emotions, I say. But I am always aware of what my effect is on others. This gets to me sometimes, actually. I am so incredibly self-aware in most cases that I'm always analyzing what impact I may be having on others. And it causes quite a bit of tension in my head. It's really quite tangible.

So, I'm practicing letting the worry go. I'm trying to put myself out there in the way I act and in what I say, with much forethought, and with no fear of having to defend myself.

And that's hard for me. I always want to see all sides before speaking. I'm careful to cultivate tone and impression. Frankly, it's stressful. A part of me wants to say "Fuck it. You worry about how you perceive me. This is how I'm coming off, whether you like it or not".

Those who know me well would say that there really isn't much danger in my being negatively provocative. I'm a really nice and thoughtful person.

Yeah, I guess I am, but I'm that way because I'm constantly thinking of how others might feel about something I say or do. And I just want a break from thinking. I really, really do. I want to stop being the one that makes sure everything goes smoothly for others (yup, that's part of my job). I feel like just sitting back and having someone else grapple with things. The only thing is, you can bet that I'll be called in anyway to see what help I can offer.

To be proactive or reactive?

A bit of both...a balance. That's what I'm trying to achieve.