I hear dat
My solution to the first problem was to get rid of the job - now it doesn't get in the way of my option sales!
But the bigger and more useful observation is that a good trade and trading strategy isn't strictly a function of the financial results. Its also a function of how well it fits into one's life (assuming this is something you anticipate doing for years - not just for a few weeks or quarters), how much mental energy its consuming the rest of the time, how much it costs in stomach acid and sleep. Stuff like that.
Maybe for you those longer dated options are a better choice. You might not be achieving 'optimal' or maximum financial results, but optimal for each of us is different and not solely a $ and cents metric.
The idea that this is a longer term activity and needs to be studied and learned in those terms leads me to choices that aren't necessarily the best as others define it.
An early instance of this for me - turns out I was too attached to my shares. I took a single covered call position and got REALLY aggressive with it for the purpose of actually running through a cycle of the Wheel. I hadn't to that point actually gone through that cycle.
My intent was to have it be assigned and then use that cash to sell a put until that got assigned and I was back in shares. If I remember right, even selling ATM took a few weeks. Anyway in that experiment I learned several things, but the key bit was that getting assigned on cc wasn't a problem. The problem was being over in cash - I was constantly worried about whether I could get assigned on the put to get back into shares. That one experience was enough to persuade me that the active version of the Wheel strategy wasn't for me. I did make out pretty well on that round trip financially though - I like being paid to learn, even when what I learn is that I won't be doing that again.
(Worth noting - I think I am achieving enlightenment by loosening my attachment to individual shares, and will be better able to turn the Wheel these days than I was back then)