Name a ship that never drowns. Bingo! Yes, friendship it is. What is Friendship? A pure bond that serves as the foundation of our lives, providing emotional support, joy, and a sense of belonging. But a gardener has to bear the thorns while caring for roses and sometimes these bonds start to feel uneven.
Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like you are the only one making an effort in friendship? Like you are the one who is always reaching out, making plans, and lending a listening ear all the time, while they don’t seem to be as interested or involved. If you are relating yourself then your friendship might be becoming 1 sided.
Sometimes you have to give up on people. Not because you don’t care, but because they don’t.
Lack of effort
Have you ever been on a sea-saw? Friendship is just like that balanced, fun, and a joy to ride. It is about reciprocating. ‘Sharing is Caring’ and that includes emotional exchange. If conversations consistently revolve around your friend’s world, with nary a “How are you?”, it might be time to gently nudge the seesaw back to center.
reaching out to your friend, eager to connect. But your texts hang, and calls go to voicemails. Friendship is the soundtrack of lives but sometimes the melody fades and is replaced by unsettled silence.
catching up with your friend, and by the end, you feel like you’ve run a marathon. Spending time with them leaves you feeling like a deflated balloon, more exhausted than uplifted. This emotional drain can be a sign of an imbalanced friendship.
Friendships are meant to be safe spaces for sharing our thoughts, dreams, and even silly jokes. Conversing with your friend, sharing something important and their reply is “uhh..hnn” or they check their phones.
They expect unwavering support and praise, but offer little in return. Every conversation revolves around them, their achievements, talents, etc.
you are the one initiating plans, offering support, and celebrating your friend’s victories and your achievements go unnoticed and your presence feels more tolerated than truly cherished.
“Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.” — Robert Tew.
Realizing that a friend is not meeting our needs can be difficult, and it can be even harder to accept that it may be time to step back from the friendship. It’s important to remember that friends are meant to uplift us, not bring us down. It’s all about finding the support and positivity that we deserve and cherishing the bond.
1. Choose a comfortable and private setting where you can talk without interruptions.
2. Be honest and respectful. Express your concerns in a friendly and positive manner.
3. Listen to your friend’s perspective. Try to understand their point of view before jumping to conclusions.
4. Come up with some suggestions on how to improve the friendship. This shows your friend that you’re committed to finding a solution.
* While it’s essential to address the one-sided nature of your friendship with your friend, it’s equally important to prioritize your well-being.
* Make sure you feel good about the conversation and stay strong. Remember, a true friendship should make both of you happy.
* Be kind to yourself as you navigate through this challenging situation. Remind yourself that you deserve healthy and balanced relationships, and taking steps to address the issue is an act of self-respect.
* Talk to loved ones, who genuinely support you, surround yourself with the people who care for you. Don’t face this alone.
Friendship is a pure bond that provides emotional support and a sense of belonging. Recognizing signs of a one-sided friendship is important. Address issues with honesty and respect, while prioritizing your well-being. Remember, a true friendship should uplift and support both parties involved.