DEAR ABBY: I’m 20 years old and dating a Marine. I work at a hospital, and I even have a part-time job. I recently rented an apartment near where my boyfriend is staying, and I’m busting my butt to be independent. My boyfriend struggles because he’s got quite a bit happening as well and doesn’t earn that much money. I’m the breadwinner at once and, truthfully, I’m just drained. I work way too hard, and I’m really stressed. Life is difficult, and I genuinely feel like I can’t catch a break. Any advice? — OVERWHELMED IN VIRGINIA
DEAR OVERWHELMED: That is the life you’ve gotten chosen, and you might be doing all you may. Carrying a lot stress is bad in your emotional and physical health. Your boyfriend is probably not making much money now, but he isn’t broke. It might be time to step back and review your funds and his, and whether you need to proceed to be the breadwinner. Things may get easier as your boyfriend gains rank and more seniority within the military.
DEAR ABBY: A pair moved round the corner several years ago. My wife and I were welcoming and did some socializing with them (dinners, festivals, parties). We soon realized that we now have little in common with them. Once we’re together, the conversation is so difficult it’s exhausting. They’re nice people, but we not enjoy doing things with them. The issue is, how can we make this clear to them? Now we have declined quite a few invitations and offers to spend time together, but they’re persistent. They’ve many other friends and contacts, so loneliness isn’t the difficulty. How can we get the message across without being rude? We’re running out of excuses. — OUT OF EXCUSES IN THE SOUTH
DEAR OUT OF EXCUSES: There isn’t any polite strategy to tell people you don’t enjoy being with them. Nonetheless, folks today have compelling obligations, full schedules; they develop latest interests and juggle busy social lives. This can be a fact of life. Because these neighbors have many other friends and contacts, they may discover a strategy to fill their time in case you proceed being “busy.”
DEAR ABBY: At any time when I see strangers, especially my age — of their 30s — toss gum wrappers and food and beverage containers on the bottom, I even have conflicted feelings. I would like to approach them and say something like, “Did you only throw that on the bottom? Is that the way you were raised — to expect others to select up after you?” Then I imagine the dirty looks I might get, or worse, and it escalating into an argument. I care in regards to the environment and the community I live in. It saddens me that folks don’t have similar respect or concern in regards to the way forward for the environment. Do you’ve gotten any ideas on the right way to succinctly tell people to stop littering without it appearing as if I’m telling them off? — CARING CITIZEN IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR CARING CITIZEN: That some individuals have so little respect for the environment and their neighbors is disappointing. For those who perform your fantasy, it is going to almost definitely spark an offended and defensive response. If it will offer you some sense of satisfaction, consider picking up the litter yourself.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also often known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.