This is a hard lesson to learn for most people. You want to help. You want to fix their problem. You want to make their problem your problem by taking a personal interest. But you can’t. All you can do it listen. And it stinks.
Especially for the ones closest to you; like your friends and family.
Don’t do it!
Sure, you can help some people, but you can’t make their problems your problems. You have enough problems on your own, and often those are hard to handle without adding more problems to bear. Adding their problems will feel like carrying an elephant. It’s just too much. It’ll drive you insane.
What do I do?
Listen. That’s it. Nothing deep here. Offering a listening ear could be all they need. The person may just need to vent a little, and offering any bit of assistance could make them worse off.
What do I do if I can help?
Think first. Be sure that you have the time and ability to help. If not, then don’t offer. It’ll be worse for you and them if you offer but can’t really help them.
If you do offer your assistance, then follow through with what you said that you would do. Don’t make assumptions and do more or less. Also, don’t be embarrassed or offended if they decline. It’s their problem to handle not yours.
Stay Separated
No matter what stay separated from the problem. Sure, love the person dealing with it, but it’s not your problem.
