You ever notice how people only remember you when they need something? Like, I’ll sit around all week, nothing, silence, nobody checks in. But the second someone needs a ride, or money, or a favor, suddenly my phone lights up like a Christmas tree. It’s exhausting.

I’m always the “reliable one,” the one who will help out, the one who says yes even when I don’t want to. And I get it, I set myself up for that because I don’t like being the person who says no. But man, it wears you down.

The worst part is when I actually need something back—just a friend to talk to, a small favor, someone to care—and suddenly everyone’s busy. Excuses fly. It makes me feel like I’m just a convenience, not a real person in their lives. Like I’m a tool, not a friend. Don’t know how much longer I can keep giving without anything in return. At some point, being “the helpful one” just starts to feel like being used.