Close friendships are one of the most important and precious things in our lives and we should try are best to preserve them. A close friendship with someone can be a chat about the days events, discussing a problem we have in our life or a shoulder to cry on.
With any relationship whether, it be a marriage or close friendship there will always be an element of compromise, a little give and take. However, when one side of the friendship starts to take advantage of the relationship then things will begin to suffer. This usually happens when one person uses the friendship to constantly pour out their problems to the other friend however, they show little to no interest in listening to the other person needs and problems. A strong and solid friendship is built upon effective communication between the parties involved. When that communication breaks down it needs fixing quickly or else it will just wither away.
If you are in a one sided relationship were you find yourself being the sponge to your friends problems then, here are a few tips to help you put your friendship back on track:
The first thing to do is to be honest about your feelings and tell your friend directly. If they are a true friend they will understand how you feel.
Get to the root of the issue of why they are constantly absorbed in outpouring their problems to you. For example, when something happens in our lives that are stressful and overwhelming, such as a loved one passing away, we tend to focus inwardly on ourselves. This self absorption tends to blinker us from the problems and concerns of others. This is fine in the beginning however, when it becomes too self absorbed it will begin to eat away at the relationship. You need to tell your friend that you sympathise with their loss however, its having a negative effect on your friendship.
Depending on how close your friend is, they should welcome that you have talked to them directly about this, and you never know they may be happy that you helped them to snap out of it. A true friend is one who does not judge and understands the real meaning and value of a close friendship. They offer compassion but, most importantly they are honest with their feelings. This may seem a difficult proposition but, it can only deepen and strengthen the bonds of your friendship, and as they say, that's what friends are for.
With any relationship whether, it be a marriage or close friendship there will always be an element of compromise, a little give and take. However, when one side of the friendship starts to take advantage of the relationship then things will begin to suffer. This usually happens when one person uses the friendship to constantly pour out their problems to the other friend however, they show little to no interest in listening to the other person needs and problems. A strong and solid friendship is built upon effective communication between the parties involved. When that communication breaks down it needs fixing quickly or else it will just wither away.
If you are in a one sided relationship were you find yourself being the sponge to your friends problems then, here are a few tips to help you put your friendship back on track:
The first thing to do is to be honest about your feelings and tell your friend directly. If they are a true friend they will understand how you feel.
Get to the root of the issue of why they are constantly absorbed in outpouring their problems to you. For example, when something happens in our lives that are stressful and overwhelming, such as a loved one passing away, we tend to focus inwardly on ourselves. This self absorption tends to blinker us from the problems and concerns of others. This is fine in the beginning however, when it becomes too self absorbed it will begin to eat away at the relationship. You need to tell your friend that you sympathise with their loss however, its having a negative effect on your friendship.
Depending on how close your friend is, they should welcome that you have talked to them directly about this, and you never know they may be happy that you helped them to snap out of it. A true friend is one who does not judge and understands the real meaning and value of a close friendship. They offer compassion but, most importantly they are honest with their feelings. This may seem a difficult proposition but, it can only deepen and strengthen the bonds of your friendship, and as they say, that's what friends are for.
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