Is it right to be a good listener to others but can't handle your own?
By yoj118
@yoj118 (346)
Philippines
April 11, 2008 11:17am CST
There are times when someone who just got out of a stressful situation who would come to you and ask to share his/her sentiments but you're not really in the mood to hear the stories as they are always the same, or you might be busy and cramming for a deadline....but since you've already made a mark status of a good listener, you can not resist to help them..
I am always a good listener...even way back in college..i always try to be there for a friend who needs me..maybe that's why they keep on texting or calling me whenever they feel like they need someone to talk to or vent their pent-up emotions...
i know it's also hard for me to always be there for them as i also have my own issues in life that i need to resolve..but as i've mentioned, i'm a good listener, so i just put my own issues aside and take some time to help other people, afterwards, only then i could attend to my own needs...
Though when I'm already fed up with other people's burden i seemed to be tired already of dealing my own issues in life..
that's why i kind of feel it might be wrong to be always there for others to help when i don't have the time to deal with my own problems in life...you think so?
3 responses
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
12 Apr 08
You are a good friend to have. Not many people are good listeners and not many would put down what they are doing to listen to what other people are saying, particularly if they are repeating themselves. Life is full of little issues that need to be resolved and you should always try and make time for them otherwise they could become bigger over time, without you even realising this. Always have time for yourself and try and find someone else who is a good listener so that you can go to them and ask their advice.
If you don't take care of yourself and help yourself then no one else will, that's my philosophy. I like to help others too and enjoy it when we resolve some of their problems which when shared don't seem to be quite so big any more.
@crzy_ant (19)
• Philippines
11 Apr 08
it's not wrong to be there and listen to other people's sentiments. it is actually a good feeling when people came to you whenever they need someone to be there for them, to pour out their emotions and to discuss with you their problems, it just shows that they trust you that much and they know that you're the right person they come to in times of need. i have always been a listener, i try to be there for the people who needs me. sometimes i feel too tired to listen but i try to keep in mind that people trust me that's why they chose me to listen to them. right?
you can still deal with your problems and at the same time being there for somebody who needs you. you'll get the same feeling of happiness especially when you realize that it's you were able to help somebody just by listening to them. :)
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
11 Apr 08
I used to get exactly the same, through school and through college and through most of my life, everyone always came to me with their problems, I was known as the agony aunt and I even considered it as a career. But no one ever seemed to be there for me when I had worries, they were always to busy to listen to me and sometimes I used to get so down always being there for everyone else, but still I used to do it because I could never turn my back on anyone in need. You do have to deal with your own problems because believe me if you do not they will over take you and you will end up drowning in them, you have to take time out for yourself.
