Hello D,

The way you start your post by asking how you stop giving everything you are to anything in your life, makes me wonder if this is a common thread that runs through your relationships with friends, family, coworkers, etc. – that you give everything you are – or if this is a result of one specific relationship.  Is there more that you are willing to share to give a better sense of what has made your heart ache so deeply?

Airene

Hello D,

Relationships run all different kinds of ways.  Sometimes people can sense when someone is needing more than they are able to give, and this might be a reason why you don’t get the reciprocation that you are looking for.

Some people – most people – are just busy.  They have good intentions of saying hello, or responding to texts, but they might be having a bad day, or they just can’t find the energy to respond.  Especially if they know you will be disappointed no matter what they say.

The title of your post is “How to Stop Giving So Much.”  It might take some practice, but when you text someone, be mindful that they might text back immediately, or a couple of hours later, or not at all.  Before you send the text, you need to be okay with whatever the outcome is going to be.  Otherwise, don’t send the text.

If you’re feeling your friends aren’t reciprocating the way you would like, try to consider the friendship from their perspective.  What do you think they think about the friendship?

Airene