To ask you how you stop being the filler gap friend?

[Blablabla1984]

Just that really.
People keeping you as a last resort if their initial weekend plans fall through or inviting you to birthdays only because someone else has dropped out.
I know the answer is probably find new friends and don't be so readily available but in reality I feel like I just say yes.

Have boundaries and don't allow yourself to be put in that position. People who do that to you aren't friends. I'd rather have no friends

Work on your sense of self. Become a whole person outside of the friendship, and let them down a few times. Don't be so dependable, if your life is full they won't have a chance to sub you in because you'll be so booked up in advance you won't have the diary space for them.

If you do actually fancy going along when you’re invited to things, don’t stop going.

But absolutely alongside that, work on your self esteem, exploring some hobbies and making some new friends.

Then it will naturally happen that you’re just too busy to remain as anyone’s “filler” friend.

Thanks everyone, makes sense!!