I have a running joke with an old friend. We often go extended periods without connecting, so when we finally do, it's common for her to talk at length about what's been happening in her life.
One of the most enduring lessons I've learned has been this idea that if you want the meed (or reward) you have to take the mess. It's a fact of life, and the sooner we accept it, the fuller our careers and lives will be.