Being There for Everyone: A Blessing or a Burden?

We all love to have someone who's always there for us, someone who gives us a shoulder to lean on in times of despair, who gives us valuable advice and supports us at every given time. Having such people around us is a blessing because the impact of their availability at all times is enormous, from building a solid relationship with such a person to having someone you can trust and rely on. However, despite how amazing it seems to always be there for others, we can't neglect how people tend to react negatively to your constant availability, and that's why below I'd like to talk about them.

Having people you can trust or being available for someone all the time isn't entirely all shades of bad; just like I stated earlier, it has its good sides, one of which is building a solid relationship with such a person. When you're always there for someone, you're indirectly building a relationship that can withstand the test of time due to the level of bond that you would have built within those periods. You also tend to earn such a person's respect, especially someone who knows how to be appreciative; they'll respect you for your time and service. Such can also go on to give you a sense of purpose around helping people, be it in being there, helping with finances, words, or others.

Through the years I've always tried to be there for others, helping and making time for them; however, I've been met with disappointment on many occasions that makes me kind of withdraw and reduce the rate at which I'm made available to such people, but there are some people who, rather than appreciating you, would instead take your presence and availability for granted, and since I've been there, I've learned my lesson and use it as a caution when it comes to being available for people. It does mean I won't be available all the time; it just means I'm observant enough to know the nature of those I give my time to.

Some of the downsides of being overall available to people I've been a victim of are that they take you for granted; it'll be surprising that you're always there for someone, and they think it's their right or see no big deal in it, which can be heartbreaking. It can also lead to emotional exhaustion or burnout because you're always constantly there for those around you, to the point where you literally don't have time to take a break and rest. One of the most dangerous things about it is that it mostly or tends to attract unhealthy relationships because people can start to manipulate you just because you've shown yourself to be concerned for their plight. Those are my experiences and how I decided to set boundaries; you should do the same.

All photos are mine.