Stop Being Her Therapist: Escape the Friend Zone
The Problem
You're there for her. Always. She cries about Brad, you listen. She vents about work, you nod. You say the right thing, offer thoughtful advice, send TikToks to cheer her up, and you think — "One day, she'll see I'm the one."
Except she doesn’t. Because you’re not her guy. You’re her emotional crutch. Her unpaid therapist. Her emotional support dude. And while she’s telling you about Brad, guess who she’s texting back? Yep. Brad.
The Pattern
This isn't just you. It’s a whole epidemic. Guys who get stuck being “nice,” “safe,” and “sweet” — and then shocked when they get the "I just don't see you that way" text after six months of emotional labor.
- You help her write a text to another guy... while secretly wishing she’d text you like that.
- You listen to her talk about red flags, and bite your tongue when you realize you’re the exact opposite — and still invisible.
- You cancel plans to "be there" for her breakdowns... but she forgets your birthday.
Why It Happens
Because you’re not building attraction — you’re managing her emotions. And that’s not sexy. That’s not intriguing. That’s not mysterious. That’s... HR support.
The Fix
You don’t need to become some macho alpha caricature. But you do need to stop overinvesting without clarity. You need to stop being her emotional sponge and start being a man with intent.
- Set boundaries. You're not always available. That’s attractive.
- Be playful, not therapeutic. Tease. Flirt. Banter. Let her wonder a little.
- Make a move or move on. Your time is valuable. If it’s not going somewhere, don’t settle for being the background music in her love story.