US EditionAsking Eric: After 35 Years of Pouring Myself Into Draining Friendship, My Tank Is Empty
Noah's year-long job hunt faces challenges from competitive markets and perceived attitudes, while Bella's mental health struggles strain a 35-year friendship based on compassion.
- The author shares a decades-long friendship with Bella, who faced declining mental and physical health that led her to withdraw from social contact for a period of two years.
- This mental health decline caused Bella to lose her career and put emotional strain on the friendship, which led the author to avoid visits due to exhaustion.
- Meanwhile, the author's nephew Noah, a recent graduate, has been job hunting for over a year and interviewed at a company where feedback noted he seemed qualified but entitled.
- Advising Noah to receive feedback constructively, such as emphasizing positive traits in interviews, may help more than confronting him directly with criticisms.
- The author feels drained by the imbalanced friendship but believes open conversations might transform it into a mutually supportive relationship.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Longtime friend's complex needs strain the friendship
Dear Eric:"Bella" and I met more than 35 years ago as volunteers. We maintained a friendship despite totally different life paths: she had a string of relationships that never went very far; I married, became a stepmom, then had a…
Asking Eric: After 35 years of pouring myself into draining friendship, my tank is empty
Dear Eric: “Bella” and I met more than 35 years ago as volunteers. We maintained a friendship despite totally different life paths: she had a string of relationships that never went very far; I married, became a stepmom, then had a baby.
Asking Eric: How do I set boundaries in a one-sided friendship?
Dear Eric: Bella and I met more than 35 years ago as volunteers. We maintained a friendship despite totally different life paths: she had a string of relationships that never went very far; I married, became a stepmom, then had a baby.
Chicago Tribune
Asking Eric: Friend’s complex needs strain friendship
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