The stress of listening to other people's problems (siblings, person, conversation)

[Clemencia53]

Have any of y'all been through this?

It just started happening to me. I'm now the sounding post to a long time acquaintance and one of her siblings. Family estrangement issues that also involves a court case.

I swear it is driving me nuts. How can people be so crazy.

I try to sympathize but also feel like telling them - snap out of it!

Guess i will have to cut back.

It also helps to vent here - so thank you for listening.

[zentropa]

Are these conversations happening in person, on the phone, or via social media?

[Clemencia53]

Originally Posted by zentropa

Are these conversations happening in person, on the phone, or via social media?

In person

[Clemencia53]

Also on the phone sometimes. She will keep me on there for over an hour. Yet complains when someone does the same to her.

I need to point that out.

[zentropa]

Is this happening at work or some other forced camaraderie situation where you have no option to not attend or escape?

How about saying, " I've decided that these problems are too personal and none of my business, and would like to respect the privacy of your family, so let's change the subject.."

If you need more responses, I'm sure I could come up with a list.

Maybe it's just me, but I would never be held captive in an hour-long phone conversation. That is a huge chunk of my precious time, and time is $$.

[hertfordshire]

Time for some boundaries.

[Clemencia53]

Originally Posted by zentropa

Is this happening at work or some other forced camaraderie situation where you have no option to not attend or escape?

How about saying, " I've decided that these problems are too personal and none of my business, and would like to respect the privacy of your family, so let's change the subject.."

If you need more responses, I'm sure I could come up with a list.

Maybe it's just me, but I would never be held captive in an hour-long phone conversation. That is a huge chunk of my precious time, and time is $$.

No nothing work related. Just long time friends/acquaintances.

I thought at first i could just listen and that would be helpful, but sheesh, they can suck the life out of you.

Yes, i am going to have to establish some boundaries.

[Clemencia53]

Originally Posted by hertfordshire

Time for some boundaries.

will have to do that.

I stopped watching the news cuz that would irritate me, so i need to stop this too.

I like to live a life of sunshine and puppy kisses -

I swear these people should be leading charmed lives.

But then it has given me an up close view of what growing up with crazy parents can do to you. All the siblings have issues and it is being passed down to their kids. Bunch of whiny negative people. Ugh.

[Nonchalance]

You could always send them a bill for your services. A hundred bucks an hour seems fair.

Been there, done that, exhausted by it. Especially if it is not reciprocal. I had to stop being everyone's shoulder.

[Threestep2]

This is my doctor's office calling - I have to go now!