Life Advice

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Health

Girlfriend feels suffocated by close clan

By Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency on

If weekend afternoons with family wear you out, you should go to a yoga class -- or a matinee with a friend, instead. He might decide that he misses hanging with you, and so he might choose to do something with you. (He might not, mind you, but because you'll already have a plan for yourself, it won't matter.)

Also, take separate transportation (if possible) to day-long celebrations, so that your desire to leave won't impede his desire to stay.

I assume that you enjoy his family, and I assure you that you will enjoy them more if you are making choices according to your own desires and priorities.

You should also face reality: This is the way it is. This is the way HE is. Unless he finally chooses to be a different kind of adult, the near and far-off future with him will always include his clan.

Dear Amy: I recently started working longer hours than normal, and it gets exhausting. My friends are really important to me. We used to hang out every day after work, but now I'm too tired after work to stay up late with my friends.

They are aware that my hours have changed, but they continue to call, text, and even come by my house at night.

 

When they do this, I often tell them I have more work to do (even though I don't), because I don't want to offend them by telling them I would rather watch "The Office" and go to bed than hang out with them.

Is my lying and laziness justified, or should I just get over myself and go with them?

-- Lazy Liar

Dear Lazy Liar: Because you've mentioned "The Office," I'll use a reference from the show to describe you.

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