Friends in need

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

The saying always goes " friends in need, friends indeed " .

But that said, I have found over time that some of my friends want what I just

cannot give them. For me that means time. I live a very hectic lifestyle with

lots of international travel and a high profile job - some people think this is

glamorous, but really it can be stressful and leads to little time in my

personal life for friends and family. Not too little time, just little time.

My good and true friends understand this - and I make the time for them - after

work, mornings at the gym, weekends. But some of my friends freak out when I

don't call often, don't email - they complain they can't communicate with me

because I am always gone and busy.

My answer to that is - " I don't think I can be the friend you are looking for " -

I explained to my " friend " what my life was like, and basically said (this may

appear selfish but it is the truth) that unfortunately for both of us if she

wanted to be friends it would have to be in a way that worked for my realities.

Ever since then she has thought twice about complaining to me about my

availability. She has realised that a gym date once a week may be all that we

can do. And I have felt tons better by stating the rules, so to

speak.

Hope this works out for you - we all don't need added stress in our lives.

- Donna from London