Busy bee stress

[gina_r_snape]

I'm looking ahead and feeling overwhelmed. It's not all bad, but I do need to square away my time in days to come.

This weekend is a blockbuster friends fest with my darling MD. He's taking me to a friend's birthday on Saturday night. On Sunday I'm taking him to a friend's baby shower brunch and then we're off to DWNY. Somewhere in the mix of the next week, I will be seeing my friend Darnell. She is in town from NOLA with her "new" honey and even though they've been dating for over a year I've not met her girlfriend yet. She may or may not meet MY "new honey" depending on timing and mutual desire. I've not even asked MD yet because I only realized last night that Darnell and her girlfriend arrive in town today! This Saturday my students will be handing in papers and I will have to set aside time to grade papers. On top of that, I need to start prepping for the summer course I'll be teaching, and my comprehensive exam is set for May 12th. I need to set a study schedule and STICK. TO. IT. Lately, I can't seem to force myself to do work for more than occasional spurts.

The next DWNY bar meet is 4/8 and also I have a friend in town that day with whom I promised to have dinner. Weekly Scottish Country dancing on Thursdays is starting to feel like a burden. And my exercise routine has totally fallen out of habit. Plus, MD will be coming over "early" to receive my new armoire and I will have to set aside time to get rid of the old drawers, move my shoe rack and sort out what will go where clothing-wise. Chances are, I will take the opportunity to do more throwing away of items I no longer wear. I hope.

The worst part of all this? I'm best able to focus and stick to a schedule when I'm completely socially isolated. But then I complain that I'm socially isolated. Now I've got friends seeking my attention, am dating someone absolutely wonderful, and feel engaged with the world in a way I desperately missed this time last year. But my foothold on academia is weakening. How does one find a balance?

I'm going to have to say no, is the answer. After this weekend, no to dancing if it gets in the way. No to hanging out with anyone other than MD and out-of-town visitors, no to spontaneous after work excursions like the one I took last night with nycD, no napping on the couch and then catching up on tv, no chatting online after work, and possibly no DWNY bar meets for the next two months. Possibly. Unless someone can lend me a time turner?

HEEEEEEEEEELP MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!