'Anyone saying that does not have real friends irl': Twitter users decry the overuse 'therapy-speak' in real-life friendships

JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor

Feb 9, 2024 8:00 PM EST

One of the hardest parts of being in an intimate relationship with someone is setting boundaries. Many of us hold onto the belief that being close to someone means giving every piece of yourself to them, being there for them all the time, and dropping everything when they need something. And while there is something beautiful about this idea, it's rarely ever sustainable. We are our own people, and we have our own needs. If I don't get my alone time, I start to lash out at those I love. That doesn't mean I don't want to spend time with the people around me, just that I have my limits.

This recent Twitter discussion brought this idea to the fore in an interesting way. Some commenters came out against over-therapizing friendships, and some emphasized the need for balance. It's a nice opportunity to examine your own relationships while getting in on some good ol' Twitter discourse.