Thahabu

I am spiritually and emotionally tired. I woke up Friday morning feeling mentally drained. I didn’t know why, especially because I feel like I’m at a good place in my life right now. I thought on it. My friends revere me for being a being great listener, and I genuinely do love being there for those in need. It’s also flattering to know that they trust me and my judgement enough to come to me with their problems and ask for advice. Plus, duh, I care about them and want them to be the happiest they can be. Most of the time I don’t even give advice, the best thing you can do for someone is to just affirm that they’re not wrong for feeling whatever they’re feeling. However, this week, my friends have been coming at me left and right for advice, complaining to me about their problems like a swarm of emotional mosquitos, not even asking me how I’m doing. I’m an empath so I naturally want to help them, and it makes me sad to know that they are hurting. But, that empathy ends up backfiring because I have taken on all of their emotions as though they were my own, and for past the four days I’ve felt as though I’ve been waking up from nightmares that are not mine but theirs.

Another friend who actually listens told me I need to take a personal day. I tried to do that on Saturday by relaxing at a barbecue and consuming as many ribs as humanly possible, but other homies showed up and used me for my emotional energy there, too. At that point I became ticked off. I started acting distant at the party to see if I could get a break from being the orbiting therapist. That seemed to work but I still felt irritated.

Pretending to be in a whole other world while at a friendly function doesn’t count as a “me day.” In order to protect my mental health I politely asked my friends to not hit me up for emotional support for a few days unless it’s an emergency. My heart was reluctant to go through with this request but my brain was like, “lol, girl, you need a break.” I plan on taking a day out of this week to get a mani pedi, go to one of my favorite taco shops in town to get empanadas, and read one of the books I took home from the discarded shelf at the library. I think this will help me recharge and maybe find more effective ways to help my friends without using up all of my energy. ♦