Maybe you could change your availability to not work one day a week even if it’s not a weekend day if it’s like a Monday or Friday it’s nice to have consistency to plan around etc

Hey! I work these shifts all the time! I'm a shift supervisor, so whenever I don't hit 40 hours minimum, I'm just picking up shifts to fill the void. I completely understand and get you; it's honestly so hard to go out and socialize when you just wanna wind down after being on your feet all day and all week.

I have a Thursday marked off every single week in my availability, mainly because it breaks up the week for me and still gives me a day off so I don't get completely burned out... My issues however, is that my best friend of 17+ years works the same job as me, and is in the same position. She's at another store, on the other end of the city; so even just going to see her after work to hang out is a huge hassle and commitment after being on your feet for 8 hours.

If your friends understand, they'd be willing to work with you in booking a day off to hang out with them. You'll be much more relaxed and energized on your planned day off, and it's something to look forward to in the future instead of trying to fit in more social interactions when you've just tiredlessly finished doing that for 8 hours.

I'm 24 years old, and we both live on our own and we both work crazy hours, so us, planning a day and scheduling it off for each other just works best. I know some friends might feel neglected or sad that they might not see you, but even if they can't plan a day in the future, you can at least keep up communication from time to time. I know when my friends are busy and them just dropping me a meme or a brief text conversation of them letting me know they're thinking of me really makes me happy. And honestly, it just takes a couple of minutes to shoot a message or a meme or something to your friends still shows that you care about them or are thinking about them-- you're just a little preoccupied with life is all. :^)

When I was in college I worked 2 part time jobs. I was working at least 40 hours a week on top of a full class load. I would get up at 5am to make it to work by 6, work a few hours, go to class, then go to my second job and work until 8pm, just to get home and do homework until I needed to go to bed. Hanging out with friends was never an option because I was so drained from working and classes. Like you, my friends felt like I didn’t make any effort to see them. It’s an awful feeling knowing that you want to see your friends and you are making an effort, but it’s not enough! I don’t have much advice, other than your true friends will understand that life is crazy and won’t hold it against you! Since college, those friends that didn’t think I was trying have all gotten jobs and seem to now understand why I didn’t see them very often! I think it’s worse when you work early mornings and your friends don’t, getting up early means you’re ready for bed a lot earlier than the average person!