When hobbies become jobs and how to get back time

Dear Annie: I’m interested in so many things that I think I have become a jack-of-all-trades.

Unlike the many people who pick up new things and drop them after they lose interest, I carry everything with me. I’ve been so busy keeping all my hobbies that they have become jobs for me. But at the same time, I feel it would be a pity to drop any of them, as I’ve invested so much time, and I’m actually doing pretty well in all of them. What should I do?

Amy W.

Dear Amy W.: There are many benefits to turning hobbies into sources of income, but doing so comes at a price: When an activity that used to help you unwind from work actually becomes work, you may not enjoy it so much.

Be honest with yourself about what you really want; prioritize that, and drop the rest. Make sure there’s space in your schedule for free time.

Dear Annie: I consider myself a good driver and follow the rules of the road by keeping up with the flow of traffic. I drive a small car that I think has good pickup.

Twice in the past few months, I have encountered aggressive drivers, both driving a large pickup truck.

I am not calling out all truck drivers. However, it does seem that more often than not, the larger the vehicle the more aggressive the driver. Both of these drivers acted and dangerously. In one instance, the driver swerved around me on the highway and then cut me off just to get ahead of me. This truck had been tailgating me, and this action appeared to be his way of showing his annoyance.

I wonder where he was headed that was so important that he almost caused an accident. It is better to be late than to drive recklessly.

No Slowpoke

Dear No Slowpoke: If you find yourself getting angry on the road, don’t let safety take a back seat to your emotions. Use techniques to calm yourself down. Remember that people make mistakes. It’s possible the person who cut you off did so accidentally. Give others the benefit of the doubt, and focus on getting where you’re going safely.