At one time, (and there is still a tendencey for me to still do this), I used to see troublesome people as a challenge. “They just need to be understood/helped/listened to/loved” etc. Of course I believed I was the one to do all that. I thought it would make more people like me. I know now that this was part of the delusional side of me. It just used to drain me.

I used to seem to attract people who told me all their problems and then felt drained after they had gone. I thought I had helped them solve their problems. No. Now I realise that some people will always have problems. Some people just want to complain to a willing ear. No matter what I said/say to these people, they will come back with more problems and drain me some more.

i am so glad to hear that you gauge other people’s moods and try not to engage with them.

This has been a huge learning experience for me. At one time I would always blame others for my moods, tiredness, whatever, but then I realised I could do something about it. I can take myself away from difficult situations/people. I have the choice. I can set myself a healthy timetable and give myself better wellbeing.

Now I need to deal with the guilt that people seem to want to load onto me for not doing for them what I did in the past.