Here’s How To Maintain Your Friendships And Keep Your Social Connections From Becoming Strained, Even When You’re Dealing With Burnout
I don’t know about you, but I certainly feel grateful and blessed for my friendships. I have some fantastic friends I can not only have a lot of fun with but can also confide in and be vulnerable with.
Friends are super important, and having at least one friend you feel comfortable sharing your hardships with is vital.
But here’s the thing: I have an amazing support system thanks to my wonderful friends, but I don’t always open up and reach out to them when I need them. I can be the kind of person who shuts down and isolates herself when experiencing burnout, anxiety, depression, or just going through a difficult time.
Thankfully, my friends can usually sense this and help pull me out of my funk, but some friends get upset when I go “ghost mode” on them for a bit.
It’s understandable if you’re feeling burnt out or emotionally exhausted and need time away from everything and everyone. Sometimes, when you’re that drained, even answering a friend’s simple text feels like a challenge.
While it’s okay to want and need to shut down now and then, you don’t want your friendships to suffer or become strained.
So, here are some tips for maintaining your friendships while going through a tough time.
Be honest
These days, when I can feel myself slipping into a slump or funk, I try to let my closest friends know when those feelings are coming on. That way, if they don’t hear from me or feel like I haven’t been communicating as much as I usually do, they’ll know I’m working through something.
Drobot Dean – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual people
Try to let your friends know when you’re feeling burnt out and explain that if you don’t reach out to them as often or are spacey in your text responses, that’s why. You can simply text them, “Sorry if I’m a bit spacey in my communication; I’m feeling a little burnt out these days.”
Apologize
If you’ve been very bad at communicating with your friends during this tough time or missed something important to them, don’t forget to apologize.
While your friends should accept and understand what you’re going through, it would probably mean a lot to them if you apologized for not being as attentive to your friendship as usual. Send a quick apology and move on.
Communicate your needs
This is a very important part of maintaining friendships during hard times. Your friends should know how to help you during these moments and vice versa. When you can, let your friends know what you need from them anytime you struggle.
For instance, would you prefer that they text you every few hours or days, or would you like them to wait until you reach out to them? Would you like them to try to see you in person, or would a phone call suffice?
Let your friends know what they can do to help you feel better, and ask what you can do for them. This will keep everyone prepared and will make your friendships a lot stronger.
Go easy on yourself
Just because you don’t feel like texting your friend back while you’re experiencing depression or anxiety doesn’t mean you are a bad friend or person. Mental health struggles are serious and can make us do things we wouldn’t normally do.
While it’s important to work to maintain friendships, don’t beat yourself up for falling apart now and then. You’re only human!
Keep an open mind
Again, I tend to isolate myself when I fall into a slump, but I’ve learned not to do that for too long. I used to shut myself off to the point where I’d concern my friends.
They’d encourage me to open up more, and I wouldn’t listen for years. However, I’ve learned how important it is to keep an open mind and be open to help.
Once I started taking my friends’ advice and confiding in them more, I felt a lot less alone. If your friend wants to help you during a tough time, don’t be so quick to turn them down.
Be open to help and let your friends take care of you from time to time. After all, that’s what friends are for!
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