(Edited 11/28/2023)

It’s hard to look back at the times you’ve felt like you were a “trauma dump” to people you cared for, and may have cared for you.

It’s harder when you see who left you because most of your time with them involved the seemingly endless venting, often about the same topics.

Not everyone is built for those talks, even on a small level. That’s why even when you want to reach out concerning good news, their inner alarms may go off. That “oh no, are they gonna’ go on about [insert topic] again” feeling.

Even when you’ve built a reputation for it, you’re allowed to have them with people, too. It takes a certain level of awareness to even know that why you’re avoiding them is why others avoid you.

It’s okay to feel sad if they’ve chosen to (quietly) cut ties. You may have had some great moments that had nothing to do with sharing pains, to the point of repetition. And arguably worse, not acknowledging their own trials.

For the ones that remain close to you, check in on them about their lives. Actively listen to them the way you want them to listen to you. That way, the moments of not sharing emotional scars will be drowned by mutual laughter.

And other joyous things if you’re that close. 😉

D.F.