Need safe space to vent.

Lately I haven't been myself. I haven't been as tolerant of those I'm close with.

The partners whom I normally want a bit of extra time with, are starting to feel like they are taking my personal time away from me.

I often set boundaries about how long I'd like to spend with someone. But I can tell people want to stay. I do want to spend time with people, just only a certain amount on a date. An amount that fulfills my need for intimacy. But I need time to myself in order to take care of my life.

I'm feeling that people are taking rather than giving and I'm not doing well coping with the stress that is made by it. But I need time to recoup myself and deal with my lifes endeavors.

I know the solution is to enforce boundaries. But I also see the value of empathy for my relationships. Where giving the extra time helps. I have put myself in their shoes. At this time, the extra time doesn't fulfill any yearning for me. But it seems to for my partners.

Coping with the stress it's creating is putting me in a constant state of tension and alertness. That makes me feel like a slave to my life. Each new day I should appreciate feels like an unknown, in this way.

I know some of this stems from life circumstances in general. But each new day brings new apprehension for what is ahead, and the sweet moments I enjoy with partners are becoming soured later in the day. When I feel trapped and my responsibilities pile up and my patience is worn. My body and nervous system need time to unwind.

Thank you for listening.