I find it absolutely ridiculous for anyone to use their passion/workload as an excuse for them not to be in official relationship.

Devoting a lot of time for your work and passion is natural. That’s what everyone’s doing, everyday, every minute. So it can never be a barrier for you to be with the one you have feelings for. 

If you say so, that workloads matters that much, how can distanced relationship still exist ? People don’t have to be physically together all the time to call it a relationship, they don’t have to quit their job to have their love life, they don’t choose to study in their country instead of going abroad to be with their love. If two people really care for each others, and really want to be together, they’ll find the way.

What matters most is that if you have feelings or not, that you want or don’t want.

Don’t ever make your work an excuse here.