A great passion has no partner.

A consuming love or ambition does not share the room. Whatever it is, it takes the space that other attachments needed, and the people around you feel the difference before you notice it yourself. That is neither good nor bad on its own; it is simply the shape of the thing, and it explains why the greatly devoted are often difficult company.

If something has hold of you at that pitch, be honest with the people it is costing rather than pretending nothing has changed. Decide deliberately what you will keep protected, and put that in the diary before the passion fills the week.