I have always found you to be a good listener who gives good but gentle feedback (based on how you respond to posts). Difficult people have more trouble finding people who listen to them. Perhaps in the past, you didn't walk away soon enough (when overwhelmed) but now you are. I think you would agree that this doesn't mean we aren't responsive to difficult people in our lives. In my case, I have learned (most of the time, some family members still can draw me in because I love them) not to take it so personally which enables me to walk away rather than be guilt tripped into feeling responsible for their outbursts. I still end up listening to it sometimes because I want to be a good person and everyone needs love and attention but I don't get as emotionally upset just because they are. I have gotten better at distinguishing which emotional problems are mine and which are theirs.

I think we have both made a lot of progress!!!!