I often struggle with moments of extreme frustration with other people for intentionally misunderstanding me. I hate feeling like I have no control over the way I am perceived. 

I’ve always been approachable to those who seek guidance or honesty, or just someone who can verbalize the things they can’t. Those same type of people who are attracted to those traits in me are also hyper sensitive to criticism of themselves and will throw me under the bus the first chance they get to make themselves feel better. 

They are also uncomfortable and unable to support me when I am the one who needs guidance and acceptance. 

I’m realizing now that just because I’m the common denominator in my failed friendships, it’s not always “me”. I don’t always have to carry the weight of how others perceive me. My biggest fault has been surrounding myself with a certain archetype of person (the narcissist) that prey on my vulnerabilities and use me for self inflation. 

I’m trying to let go of the “frustration anxiety” of not being able to get these people to truly care about or understand me. 

They don’t lack empathy for me because I’m not good enough. 

They lack empathy for me because they can’t empathize with anyone.