Helping a friend is a great thing to do, but it is worth remembering that you are not responsible for your friend. You can be there for them but it is their decision to what they want to happen next. Most of the time, they only want someone to listen.
Supporting someone else can affect your own well-being. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, upset, or angry when someone you care about experiences difficulties, so it’s important to take care of your own health, too. Small steps like getting enough sleep, getting some exercise, and spending time on activities you enjoy are good for everyone.
To lose sleep worrying about a friend. To have trouble picking yourself up after someone lets you down. To feel like less because someone didn’t love you enough to stay. To be afraid to try something new for fear that you will fail. None of this means you’re dysfunctional or crazy. It just means you’re human, and that you need a little time to right yourself. You are not alone.
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