Dear Eric: An acquaintance of mine has a perpetual mindset of “woe is me”. They have definitely had a hard life: poor family dynamics, health issues, very few friends and a lack of a support system. However, no conversation with them is ever able to go anywhere but through all the hardships they’ve dealt with, past and present.

In today's Asking Eric column, R. Eric Thomas responds to someone who is exhausted by supporting their friend who is always negative about their life.

I know I’m not obligated to give more of myself than I can, and that this isn’t a real friendship with the dynamics being the way that they are. Still, I want to be compassion

I’m not a good audience for venting right now.” Read more Asking Eric and other advice columns. Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.