ovr gave you great advice on the text/phone -- randomize your response time. Sometimes wait a long time, sometimes don't. It is mysterious. The idea is not to go completely cold, just respond like you would to a friend or a neighbor. If it's not urgent, no need to respond urgently.
What can you do to have more time with your D?
GAL is not a competition, don't feel like you need to be doing "more" GAL necessarily. If all you have time for during the week is gym, that is the #1 recommended GAL activity for men (it seems). Being more social I think is excellent GAL - gets you talking to other people, gives you perspective on life.
Meditation is really hard to dive into in the middle of a sitch, because our minds are ping-ponging around in fight or flight mode. But if you can do it... it truly helps a ton. I cannot recommend it enough, it just takes a lot of perseverance because for a long time it feels pointless, frustrating, and you can't measure progress. But over time, if you stick to it, you will understand your emotions better, be able to handle the intensity of the anxiety and worry and sadness without relying on other coping mechanisms... it's just good stuff. I use a meditation app on my phone -- I prefer the guided meditations because silent meditation is virtually impossible for me to do without going crazy.
As time with my D I have her until Sunday to myself because W is gone on a trip. well not really, I agreed that she can have a sleep over at her friends house this weekend, she'll be gone Saturday morning because they have planned a full day of events. But On the weekdays we just hang out at the house or go grab a bite somewhere she likes. Monday we went to the movies and enjoyed a bunch of unhealthy snacks, haha.
Sometimes I think to myself I GAL for the wrong reasons. I just want to get away, even if I have nothing planned - I go on drives sometimes just to clear my head. I been going to the gym religiously for the past 4-5 years, roughly 5 days a week but since this BD beginning of June - I lost the drive but slowly picking myself back up. I lost over 10 pounds, lightest I weighed in forever.
Its definitely a learning experience to just go out and socialize with random people again. Its been years since I was doing that, it feels different - but I definitely enjoy meeting new people just to hang out with.
I tried meditation a few times due to my C advise to do so. During my time in the service, I lost touch of myself. I developed some issues and my C had me install an app on my phone to help with breathing techniques to calm me down and such but I didn't stick with it long enough. Supposed to help me diffuse situations and think with a clear head. I will give it another try.
