If you have friends and you want to keep but cannot, then do not.
Play at your own pace if you do and just play when you want to. I have played for 4-5 years now and I do not have a single job to the max level limit. Just take your time if needed and have a bunch of fun.
Note: You will come to a place that looks like a desert when you enter. Only take the advice and guidance of that who have Rank 5 or higher. The people in this area tend to think they have a knowledge about the game that they think surpasses their own comprehension.