In the quiet moments of this early evening, when the world begins to rest, I find myself overwhelmed with tiredness. I am a loyal and reliable friend, but undeniably exhausted. This exhaustion is not just physical but deeply emotional—a heavy feeling that clings to my very core.
I am a friend. A tired friend.
I am a tired friend, not by choice but due to the passage of time and life’s circumstances. My once vibrant energy has worn thin with each call for help and each request for understanding. My spirit, once bright and hopeful, now flickers with exhaustion. It’s not that I have stopped caring, but my capacity to care has been drained by the continuous needs of those I love.
Don’t get me wrong, friendship is a beautiful paradox. It is both a safe haven and a battlefield, a place where souls connect and a space where unspoken burdens quietly build up. In this paradox, I often find myself as the constant listener and unwavering support.
I am the one who gets late-night calls, the confidant for whispered secrets and tearful confessions. My phone buzzes with messages about broken hearts and shattered dreams. I listen, console, and offer comforting words, like patches for invisible wounds. It is lovely. I love it.
But,
There is a deep loneliness in being a steadfast friend. It's a solitude hidden beneath smiles and nods, under the mask of constant support. The world sees the calm surface, but beneath it, there is a depth of unspoken exhaustion and silent struggles.
I admit, there are times when my loyalty feels like a burden. I have seen many sorrows, listened to countless tears, and kept secrets too heavy to bear alone. My heart has become a collection of broken confidences, each one showing the trust others have placed in me. However, this trust demands constant strength, resilience, and endless compassion.
This evening, I reflect deep on this thing called friendship. It is a gift that enriches our lives but also a responsibility that requires emotional labor. We are taught that true friendship is selfless, that we should give without expecting anything in return. But what happens when the giver is empty? When the friend is tired?
I also admit that part of me longs for a break, a moment to rest from the constant demands of friendship. To relax, even briefly, in my own thoughts without the weight of others’ needs. This desire is not a betrayal but a natural response to my limits. It reminds me that taking care of myself is not selfish but necessary.
I drink my water now, the blandness a reminder of reality. I realize it is not weakness to acknowledge my own needs. It is not selfish to seek rest, to find spaces where my own voice can be heard. Friendship is a two-way street, a balance of give and take. And perhaps, by admitting my own tiredness, I can find a deeper connection, a more genuine bond.
In this time, I also wonder if others notice the weariness on my face, if they sense the fatigue that follows me. Do they understand the silent struggles I face, the internal conflict between wanting to help and needing to rest? Even the strongest oak must bend in a storm, and I, too, am just a human, vulnerable to the pressures of emotions and expectations.
Despite this exhaustion, I remain. Friendship is a silent agreement, a bond made not out of obligation but out of love. Love is a powerful force that pushes us to endure beyond our limits. It’s love that fuels my tired heart, reigniting my determination when all seems lost. Love is both a comfort and a burden, bringing the greatest joys and deepest sorrows.
There is a certain beauty in this tiredness, a quiet dignity in the perseverance it requires. Being a tired friend means embracing our humanity, accepting the imperfections of our shared lives. We all, in our own ways, struggle to find our way through life, each of us seeking comfort in the company of others. In this shared journey, we find our true selves and our most genuine connections.
In the end, I am grateful for my weariness, as it shows the depth of my love and the strength of my commitment. Being a tired friend means being a true friend, one who has given fully, stood firm in adversity, and been present in both joy and sorrow. It means sharing in the highs and lows of those we care about.
So, I confess my tiredness not as a complaint but as a recognition of the profound beauty and complexity of friendship. In this tiredness, I find a quiet strength and resilient hope that keeps me going. Even in my deepest exhaustion, I am reminded of the power of human connection and the enduring bonds that tie us together.
This is my confession, the quiet truth of a tired friend. And in this confession, I find a glimmer of hope—that true friendship is a shared journey, a mutual embrace of both strength and vulnerability.
As I write now, I cry; each tear drop a sign of renewal. I make a silent promise to myself—to seek balance, to nurture my own soul as I nurture others. For even the strongest pillars need support, and even the most steadfast friends deserve rest.
Hugs and lots of hearts Favour
Sigh 🫶🏾