Friends aren’t therapists, but they are witnesses to your life. Tell them, “I need to vent for 10 minutes,” or “Can we just watch cartoons and eat snacks?” Setting boundaries makes support safe and fun—not a chore.
Also, consider peer support groups. Yes, they can feel cheesy, but sharing stories with strangers who get it is oddly healing. You might even laugh. (Laughter is basically brain medicine, right?)
