Is it weird to prioritize a friend's needs over your own well-being?

Many people find themselves in situations where they put a friend's immediate needs ahead of their own comfort or even health. This often comes from a deep sense of care and a desire to be a supportive person in someone's life. It's a common human impulse to want to alleviate a loved one's distress, even if it means personal sacrifice.

Research from the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships suggests that individuals who consistently over-extend themselves for others may experience higher levels of emotional exhaustion.

See other perspectives

Am I the only one who feels compelled to prioritize a friend's needs over my own well-being?

Am I the Only One?

Does everyone prioritize a friend's needs over their own well-being?

Does Everyone?

Is it normal to prioritize a friend's needs over your own well-being?

Is It Normal?

Why do I prioritize a friend's needs over my own well-being?

Why Do I?

Real stories from the community

She had a certain vivacity, a kind of magnetic insouciance that just drew people in, and she knew it, too. …

toxic loyalty

I guess I'm just typing this out because I can't really talk to anyone about it, not in real life anyway. …

toxic loyalty

Am I the only one who cleans like EVERYTHING for my older brother all weekend and buys him food and he still acts like I’m the problem—like does anyone else just feel EXHAUSTED by that?

toxic loyalty

Like, I’ll spend hours there, scrubbing toilets, doing laundry, mopping floors, and then I’ll be like, "Frank, you really gotta try to keep it a bit cleaner, you know? …

toxic loyalty

ok so like i gotta get this off my chest and i know im gonna get ripped apart but whatever and im just like im up late studying for this stupid stats final and my brain is just fried and i cant focus… …

toxic loyalty

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I always put friends first?▾
Consistently putting others first can lead to feeling drained or neglected in the long run. It's important to recognize when your own resources are depleted.
How can I tell if a friendship is one-sided?▾
A one-sided friendship often feels like you're always giving and rarely receiving support or effort in return. Observe if the friend reciprocates care when you need it.
Is it bad to feel guilty for saying no to a friend?▾
Feeling guilty for saying no is a very common reaction, especially when you value the friendship. This feeling doesn't mean you've done anything wrong, just that you care about their feelings.

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