why do I always need to be busy?

[jamie]

I am a junior in high school. Since elementary school I have always been a hardworking student and been dedicated to my dance company. I spent at least 35 hours a week dancing, and it was great! I loved to dance, but it started to effect my school work. I had always put everything off saying "oh! I would be much more social if I had the time" or "I would go to more school football games!" At the start of this year, I did NOTHING. I would get home at 2:00 (my house is walking distance) and watch netflix and study. My grades got higher, but homework would take me until 4:00 on a heavy night. I told my mom, and she said that this gives me more time to hang out and talk to friends on social media. In October, my dance teacher contacted me and asked if I wanted to come back as a mentor. It would be for 21 hours a week (3 hours a day). From 4-7 each day I go. Over thanksgiving break my dance teacher asked me to join the team again and said I could go a long way. I told my mom and she said she doesn't understand why I can't just do nothing and be a kid. I told her it is because I love to dance, but she said she would prove me wrong. For the last two months I have joined a singing group at my school. To be honest, I hate singing, but I got so involved. The deal was if by winter break I didn't drop out, my mom would let me go back to dance. Today was my first day back, but my friend messaged me how sad she was that I would be going back to something that would take all my free time, and I realized it is so weird how I always need to be busy. Even stuff I hate goes above just hanging out and going on social media. Why do I feel this way?!

[MissA]

You sound like you are the typical "Type A", go-getter personality. It drives you crazy to not be "moving ahead" in the world.

It's perfectly normal. Just make sure you do take time to unwind- don't over stress or overwork because it can be bad for your health.