Taking Care of Him

I've always been the caregiver type, looking after everyone else before myself. A few months back, I started taking care of a friend who'd gone through a tough breakup and was struggling to cope. He was vulnerable, and we found ourselves in a dynamic where he would ask for more than just help with daily tasks, he wanted emotional support too. We both knew the boundaries: no labels, nothing formal or permanent. But there were nights when his loneliness hit hard, and I would hold him until he fell asleep, offering comfort beyond what friends usually do. It was strange yet comforting to be this kind of rock in someone else's life. Yet, under it all, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for myself, missing that level of care without being able to fully admit or act on my own needs. Sometimes, the roles get confusing when you're always giving and never taking.