Dear Confused,

Worry much? We’re human beings and we’re not always at our optimal. I feel like you’re being overly harsh with yourself. And judgmental. Can a person always standing by, ready to help others to the best of their abilities every minute, or every day? Of course not.

I think you’re stressed, but simple advice, like “slow down” is not going to help you much. You’re too complex! And Capricorn likes a long term gain. What’s short term relief, up against self-knowledge that pays for the rest of your life? So here’s this:

First, I think the cleaning is a direct response to being overstressed. So just know this about yourself. When you’re overtaxed you start to clean!

For me, it’s my lungs. When I get overwrought, I get bronchitis or the like. Knowing this, when I feel that ache in my back and chest, I start to slice and dice things in my life that have lower (and no) priority. Nine times out of ten, this is effective and I think you’ll have similar success.

Now regarding this “rule breaking” – Well, this is a feature of your personality. You’re a Capricorn all right, but you have Venus in Aquarius. Capricorn lives within the rules and so does Aquarius with this one distinction. They make their own rules! So you are not going to be able to go through your life towing the line. You’re gonna rebel! You just are.

So it may help to come to terms with this in a “big picture” sort of way. Picture a woman in conservative dress…but with a streak of blue running through her hair. Or like Howard Hughes wearing a suit with white tennis shoes. That’s you.

Finally, I have no doubt your patient nurturing self will resurface. But hopefully via this period, you’ll learn something about where the lines go. About boundaries between you and the people care for. Ninety percent of the time, you’re going to pick up the phone and help. Ten percent of the time, you just need to let that sucker ring. Take the space. The sky won’t fall and you can be back on the job in a day or two.