To think I don't need to communicate with people right now

[gradaa]

I'm feeling pretty down at the moment. Just struggling with life. I don't feel like reaching out to any of my old friends.

I've been struggling for ages and I've been trying to put a face on it and still be around always taking part in group chats. Always the first to reply when anyone texts on the chats. Always trying to be accommodating / suggesting meet ups / being flexible.

I just can't be bothered anymore.

I feel better for it. I don't want to see anyone or force myself to see anyone either.

I've always been too afraid to do this in case I lose my friends. But they seem to do it and I'm always still around when they resurface.

Surely I can do it and they'll still be around when I want to reconnect / if I do ?

Fully understandable to want time to yourself, but to say if you want to reconnect.... in fairness if my friends doubted if they wanted to reconnect with me I wouldnt want to be friends with them.

That's fine. I just don't know how I feel about everything.

I feel like I've given a lot and need a break.

I think taking a break is totally fine and understandable

You're always allowed to take a break. If it was me I'd probably let people know that's what I was doing so they didn't feel dropped.

I took a time out. My old friends are sort of still there but it's not the same. I missed some big moments in their lives and so we're not as close as we were. You have to be prepared for that.

That being said, I needed that time so not sure really what I could have done differently. On the flip side they knew what I was going through and didn't reach out to me so why should I feel bad about it?

Something I've realised is that friendships are transitory. Very few of us have "friends for life" and even those that do, it's maybe one or two people. But then maybe my bar for a true friend is quite high!

Would you consider being honest with your friends? I.e. I'm having a tough time right now and I need to take some time out for the sake of my mental health.