I feel you been in the same situation and sadly I got tired of holding in my feelings and rather than voice my opinion in a somewhat productive manner which I tried I have done all three of your options it's not easy feeling this way. I felt that way at work which I have to act like I am mature and I had an opportunity to work from home in my head solves the problem where I won't have to deal with any fallout if I feel that way problem is I have now become reclusive so my solution didn't work it's not easy feeling that way or should I say when others make us feel that way

Being a good listener is a cultivated skill as well as a kindness. It's not an obligation. You are a very conscious listener and for the sake of these friendships, and to save yourself a lot of frustration, be conscious of when a conversation may be about to begin and then nip it in the bud. Subtly remove yourself from the situation before it turns into an actual conversation (or a monologue). Listening is a two way street and if someone wants to be heard she should learn to be as good a listener as you have, but it sounds like your friends are being selfish. I feel that you need a break from listening. Maybe later, when you start making yourself available again by sticking around when the conversation starts to go 'that' way, they'll be more apt to return the favor and listen when it's you who could use a hearing ear, or just need to vent a little. If you keep listening to everyone as you do now, and get nothing in return but frustration, you will only grow to resent these people more and more. There is someone in my family who has complained to me for years about the same problems, but she never makes the needed changes to turn things around in her life, even though she always says 'that's it, I'm done' (meaning, done putting up with the relative that is causing her troubles. So her talking it out with me is a band aid approach: she feels better for a while AND her venting is a substitute for actually having to take action. I work full time and my job exhausts me, so my weekends (especially the sunny ones) are precious to me. The last time she and I spoke we were in a beautiful park by the ocean on an incredible day, and I wanted to make the most of it. However, because she wanted to talk I sat on a picnic bench for 4 long hours 'til my butt was numb. We both went home that day feeling better about things for her, though. Unfortunately, she went home and did the same thing all over again that leads to her problems (and her problems affect my life, too, as we are family). I was angry and frustrated over having spent so much time on an uncomfortable bench, when I could have been enjoying my day off. I felt used and that she did not respect me. So when things in her life went haywire again and she asked could she come over and we talk again, my answer was a firm "NO' and I have not changed my mind.

A woman gave me very good advice a while ago. I was being bullied in the workplace and felt the bully just didn't know what she was doing... I spoke to a supervisor and said I didn't want to hurt her feelings...

the supervisor said 'I don't think she has feelings to hurt, do you? Otherwise she would not be doing this.'

I'd say you've trained your friends to see you as 'a good listener'. Push the envelope. Stop them. Say 'i want to talk to you about my problem.' Lay it out there.

A good friend will say SORRY and be less selfish. A bad friend will leave. Win:win.

It's true. It's hard to believe at first, this old adage that "if that bothers them, they're not worth having", but it is 100% real and true.

A friend that constantly interrupts you is not yet a lost cause. They just may be accustomed to other people asserting themselves more, and expect you to berate them for it as an elementary self-defense reflex.

However, if you do that and they try to make you the bad guy, or stop talking to you... they were never a friend. It just means your allowance of what a friend can do, has been too generous.

I have a friend, who frequently does stupid things like that, but I call him on it when he loses control of himself. Yet he still sticks around, because he values my friendship.

I also have a formerly close family member who, as I realized last year, has not been my friend in a decade. He doesn't give a crap, and so I stopped giving a crap too, and let him drift away.

I would tell them what keeps happening. My mother in law would constantly interupt me when I was talking. My husband does it somewhat. I'll start to say something and he jumps in before I can even finish my sentence. Some people just get so excited that they can't wait....but I would still tell them. Lose a friend? They aren't friends if they can't take the truth.

I have been in that situation ..and good or bad I just drift away from those people ......they are toxic to us .......that might not be what you want to do .......you might want to tell them you need them to lisen to what you are saying ....for a Minuit ...and see how it goes .........if it doesent Chang ..and they are draining you ..than you realy need to eather ..staway away from them or limit the time you spend with them ..because we are talking about your mental health here ......and toxic people take more from us that they give back .......that is why it is making you tired ......they are taking ..and you are always giving ....you need a more balanced friendship .....and they don't seam to be able to offer that to you ...........you need to look after your self right now never mind how others feel ....they are not thinking of you when they won't lisen to you ..........and it isent good for your mental health ..........your body is telling you that by getting so tired ...lisen to it ...............I keep you in my prayers ....God bless

Thank you everybody for the wonderful feedback. I feel empowered by all of your advice and understanding!!