Three Signs You’re a ‘Background Friend’ — and How to Cope With It
How recognizing the signs helped me realize what I was missing
A ‘background friend’ is someone who, despite having friends, doesn’t feel like they are a firm member of any one group.
Although I’m lucky to have life-long friends, I’ve felt reduced to the background in the past. I sometimes felt there was something missing. I often became lonely, as if the group would forget my presence.
I felt like this on and off for a lot of my adolescence. Life felt like one big sigh and I longed for a deeper connection.
While it made me understand the importance of liking alone time, finding my way out of the background changed my life for the better. I became comfortable with who I was, my happiness skyrocketed, and all of my relationships benefited.
It all started when I recognized the signs. From there, I figured out what I was missing, what I could do in the future and the hidden benefit of being a background friend. Here’s how you can too.
1. You Get Invited to Things, but Not Everything
In my teens, I would get invited to parties, holidays, and other significant occasions. But when it comes down to the smaller…
