anneinside... I'm so sorry you are feeling drained and pressured.
I remember you posting before about these folks causing you this kind of grief. Sorry to hear their behavior continues, though, unfortunately, it's not surprising. Having ended just such a one-sided "friendship" just one year ago, I truly do appreciate both how hard it is to be in one and also how hard it is to let it go, especially if you don't know many other people (don't know if this is the case for you). Even when you know that it is not a good thing for you(!)

I, too, struggle with people taking advantage of me. It is hard sometimes when you are a helpful sort of person to know where to draw the line, and (for me anyway) to even recognize it all that quickly because I don't want to believe it is true. And that it has happened again.

Sometimes it is hard, because it seems to go against the grain if you have an (overly) helping personality, to apply appropriate tactics. Still, I think it would be very much worth your while to try. It'd probably also be very helpful to try to scout around for a new friend. Sure, there's the obvious reason, but it could also help lessen the sense of loss. This may sound crazy to people who don't struggle as much to apply logic and to look out for their own good, but if you are like me, there is a huge sense of loss, even though it is not logical. (Oh yeah, lots of self-esteem issues wrapped up in there as well...) Paring back, saying "no", even if it is only sometimes, is a start in regaining some control over the situation. Maybe you need to ditch them altogether. Maybe not. But it is up to you to take those steps to rein it in, because they're sure not going to(!)

To me, from your posts, you do seem to be quite a strong person, anneinside. Here's hoping that you can use that strength to do what is right for you. Lots of