There was a time — and honestly, still is — when I disappeared from my friendships.
Not in a dramatic, slamming-the-door kind of way.
More like… quietly retreating. Pulling back. Not texting back right away. Not showing up the way I used to.
And it wasn’t because I stopped caring.
It was because life got heavy. My own stuff became too much to carry, and I didn’t have the strength to hold anyone else’s at the same time.
Friendships are beautiful, but they also require emotional energy. And when you’re in survival mode — navigating heartbreak, loss, burnout, or even just the daily weight of life — that energy runs low.
So I had to choose:
Do I keep showing up for everyone else while slowly drowning myself?
Or do I step back, protect my peace, and give myself the space to heal?
I chose me.
And it was hard.
But it was necessary.
It’s Not Personal, It’s Human
Here’s the thing I wish more people talked about:
Sometimes you have to pause your role as the “strong friend.”
Sometimes you need to be the one who gets supported — even if it means being less present for others for a while.
It’s not about abandoning people.
It’s about recognizing that you can’t pour from an empty cup.
It’s about survival.
And real friends?
They’ll understand. Maybe not right away, but in time.
If You’re in This Season Too…
If you’re reading this and feeling that familiar guilt of “not being a good friend” lately — breathe.
You are allowed to focus on yourself.
You are allowed to protect your peace.
You are allowed to survive.
And when you’re ready, when life feels lighter, you’ll show up again. Probably with even more love and empathy than before.
But for now, take care of you.
That’s what real friendship should support.
I’d love to hear from you:
Have you ever pulled back from friendships to protect your peace?
Drop a comment and let’s have an honest conversation about it.
