Being too busy was an excellent excuse . . .
* to be dis-engaged from life.
* to not think about stuff.
* to avoid people.
* to have dirty (or even moldy) dishes all over the place.
* to procrastinate
* to not balance my checkbook
* to eat junk and call it dinner
* to be tired and cranky
* for people to leave me alone (see "tired and cranky")

"Busy" was quite the handy thing to be – - I’m not sure what to do with myself now that I don't have a good excuse for all of my imperfections and personal shortcomings.