My realtionships at school Dealing with outside activities?

Question

Hello, I'm an age 15 regional fencer, with only half an year with an Olmypic Maestro as an instructor. I've dueled and won against people who've fenced 5 years in different academies and I've advanced past the introduction and general courses in two weeks. I was thinking that because I'm advancing so fast in the rapier sport, I'm disregarding my friends and personal relationships at school. I've stopped talking to people and am becoming increasingly stressed from the "soccer moms" at compeitions, and the 10 hour nonstop duelng every Saturday. It's also because I study strategies and practice outside to possibly reach nationals within the end of the year. Everyday I force myself to go to a two hour training class using my own money I make. So that means the job is adding onto the training and the school work.

I'm getting testy and short fused with people at school and constantly get overstressed. Is there any way to deal with overtraining? My friends are really important to me.

Answer 1

What you need to do is prioritize. It sounds to me as if you enjoy the fencing and the competition. But also feel as though you are missing out on a good part of your adolescence.
What you could do is perhaps go to your "coach" and tell him you'd like to have a little quality time to yourself to have somewhat of a social life. Then together maybe come up with a better scheduling system that keeps you competitive but also leaves room for relaxing and hanging out with friends.
Give yourself some time to also just be alone doing nothing. It will have a tremendous affect on your daily life.
Try meditation or relaxation techniques to clear your head of any negativity or over thinking. You need to be the one who decides what is best for you. And when you know what that is take the the steps to take care of yourself. Regardless of what anyone else thinks you "should" be doing. It is ultimately your life to do with what you choose.
Here are a few links to help you with the relaxation and stress management.
http://wso.williams.edu/orgs/peerh/stress/relax.html
http://www.mindtools.com/stress/RelaxationTechniques/PhysicalTechniques.htm
http://www.imt.net/~randolfi/StressLinks.html