I Used to Feel Drained by Social Experiences

Before I started meditating I focused on making sure I was liked. This was a lot of work — I usually ended up feeling drained after social experiences so instead I spent a lot of time alone.

As I deepened my meditation practice, I became more open to people. I slowly became less concerned that no one would like me, knowing that there would be someone in the crowd who would.

But this transition was a bit rocky. For a while I was still quite focused on how people viewed me, and some people took advantage of this by using me as a free counsellor. I would listen to their problems and in return they’d be my friend. It was unbalanced…but it was just a phase, and with more meditation I grew out of it.

Today I have a large circle of friends. I’m much more outgoing and I don’t feel drained by social experiences. I’m available to my friends, and I steer clear of people who require too much from me, or need me to be a certain way.