It's okay if someone you strongly dislike gets an inkling that the feeling is mutual.
Category: Overthinking It
#1340: “I sat for my friends’ cats for years, but they won’t return the favor now:” Friendship, Favors, and Reciprocity
There is "what might be technically owed" and "what is realistic and workable now." In general, don't try to extract the former at the expense of the latter with people you'd like to stay friends with.
#1338: “*surprised Pikachu face* Another friendship that stresses me out!”
Let's you and me drive a stake through the heart of NiceGirl™ Summer.
#1335: Advice about anxiety about over-committing to in-person hangouts written by a person with ADHD who struggles with time.
When fear of over-committing meets terror of letting other people down, that's where you'll find me and way more than one of you, if my inbox is any indication.
#1334: “If someone keeps RSVP-ing “yes” but never attending, do I have to keep inviting them to stuff?”
Here is blanket permission to not worry very much about offending people who neither show up to your parties nor ever explain why.
#1331 and #1332: Awkward Neighbor Stuff!
Good fences continue to make good neighbors, metaphorically and literally.
#1328: “I’m a junior with a thing for a graduating senior. Is this thing doomed before it even starts?”
"Dear Captain Awkward, how can I find out if my crush likes me back?"
Nature is healing!
#1321: “I have nightmares about hosting the Fancy Lady Craft Circle in my terrible apartment.”
There's a lot to be said sometimes for faking it until you make it, but I'm a big fan of dropping the act and dropping the shame right along with it.
“I want to reach out but I have no idea what to say.”
If you don't know what to say, revert to first principles: Something is probably better than nothing.
#1315: How do I tell acquaintances about a death in the family without sounding dramatic?
When you want to share an extremely mood-ruining thing (death of a parent) without ruining the mood: Be brief and direct, and let other people be nice to you for a minute.
