Friendship Burnout: What It Is and How to Recover

In today’s world of constantly being busy, friendships may become draining, resulting in what people call “friendship burnout.” This scenario can unfold as soon as the pressures of the friendship outweigh the energy and time we can deduce. Thus, it’s essential to distinguish the predisposing factors of friendship burnout to keep harmonious relationships and promote our general well-being. Below will define the symptoms of this, its root, and possible ways to help mend it.

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Understanding Friendship Burnout

Friendship burnout is comparable to other forms of burnout. It can manifest as tiredness, crankiness, and overall detachment from friends. Although having friends helps us with companionship and support, friendships can also be a stress source if they demand more than we can give. You can’t pour from an empty cup, regardless of whether it is just a friendship or more than that.

Signs of Friendship Burnout

The first step to recovering from this is to know the signs. Some of the most common include isolation, feeling overwhelmed during social activities, and dread before them. You may develop annoyance or even hostility within the company of friends. Or you feel motivated to avoid people and exhausted after social contact instead of refreshed.

Causes of Friendship Burnout

If you can identify what is causing these feelings, then the problem can be solved. Expectations from friends can lead to pressure. They expect much more from each other and get disappointed if their expectations are not met. Transitions in life also trigger new demands for friendships to become more obligatory. For instance, a career change, the loss of a loved one, or simply moving can all cause changes in friendship dynamics.

If one friend is more open and available than the other, this can cause feelings of resentment. Additionally, pressures from social media create expectations and can become overwhelming. Taking breaks when needed can be beneficial to your well-being when trying to move past friendship burnout.

How to Recover

Recovering from friendship burnout involves undertaking several activities that are intended to bring balance to social relationships. Realizing that you do not always need the company of others once in a while may be crucial. Everyone needs some time off from everything, including other people. People should make their friends understand how they feel, and need to set some boundaries that must be understood by them.

Sometimes, you may need to consider what kind of friends you want in your life and are healthy for you. Shedding negative connections or people who have negative impacts on your life can reduce friendship burnout. There are practicalities you cannot negotiate; how much can you invest in friendships without getting bogged down?

Self-Care with Friendship Burnout

Practicing self-care is something everyone should be doing daily, regardless of the situation. Channel your energy into things healthy for your mind, body, and soul. This could include working out, art, or being one with nature. Caring for ourselves can go a long way in regaining the energy that might be needed. Lastly, consider meeting friends in casual meet-ups or one-on-one hangouts to help with social pressure.

Final Thoughts

Friendship burnout can be termed a common phenomenon, but it does not mean that one has to lose one's friends. It’s essential to understand when these feelings come and why. Work towards rebuilding your social energy to form better, happier friendships. Remember to prioritize yourself and your well-being. Therefore, it is possible to work towards establishing relationships that are more fulfilling than always being exhausted by them.

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Originally written by Haley Harrelson.