This post has been sat in my ‘drafts’ folder for weeks. I have a tendancy of typing my ideas into a blank blog post title and saving them, a), so I don’t forget the idea and b), to give me the kick up the ass to go back and write it.
On this particular day I was obviously a bit pissed off. I can’t remember why, and that’s probably a good thing else this post may have ended up getting me in a whole heap of crap. But I do know why I asked myself the question.
When do you just stop trying?
Trying with people. Trying with people who don’t seem to care whether you bother or not. You know the kind I’m talking about. You haven’t seen them for ages so you drop them a quick text, see how they are, have a bit of chit chat, then mention a meet up or get together and yes! That sounds wonderful, so you say ‘let me know!’. Then you hear absolutely nothing. For days. Or weeks. How many times do you have to do this before you start to think “screw it!”
It’s draining. It’s disheartening. It’s a tad bloody depressing.
Don’t get me wrong. I know life gets busy. God, I know that. But if I can try, why can’t others? Because life is busy, I find it even more important to make the effort. Before we know it, time can go by before you realise that you haven’t seen some friends for over a year. And then you realise that it’s not because you haven’t tried, but because they haven’t tried. So when? When do you just stop trying?
A text is easy to send. Even if it’s late at night when the kids are in bed, or it’s the first time you’ve put your feet up, because that’s the first chance you’ve had. Your friends won’t care if it’s late, they’re probably up grabbing some ‘me time’ too. They’ll just care that you bothered. That you tried. But if you don’t want to then that’s fine too. Just don’t pretend. Tell the truth. If time has passed by and you no longer really want to meet up. If this old ship has sailed and the friendship flags have failed, just say. Because then we can all stop trying and we can concentrate on the ones who will try in return.
When do you just stop trying? Tell me. I’m interested.
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