Friendship that is one-sided

Could you set up a few projects for yourself? They could be anything from drawing and painting a picture to visiting neighbouring towns. Make them your own and mark them off on a chart as you do them. Just get out there and give them meaning. When your 'friend' contacts you for something, tell them that you are very sorry but you are busy and go and do one of your projects. You need to take back ownership of what has meaning in 'your' life.

PandoraBlue

Does anyone have any experience of how to deal with somebody who is only interested in you when they want something - I am finding life very difficult as I am lonely but I know I am being used - I am too nice a person

Am sorry that your loneliness has led to this unscrupulous person taking advantage. But I think your post says it all, you know what is going on and are sick of it. Offload this opportunistic friend as soon as you can and try to find a more genuine friend by perhaps volunteering if you are able, charity shops or local projects to better the environment or to help the homeless would be glad of your input and you would meet others who may have volunteered for the same reason, to meet others.
You deserve better than this.
X

Yes, I do! I have a number of friends who constantly offload their (self-imposed) problems to me but never ask if I am OK. They seem to think that as I have a stable marriage and a comfortable home then I must be OK all the time. Just recently I have stopped phoning some of them to see the response. I might add that sometimes I am the only one who makes contact. I have stepped back a little and set boundaries, basically for my own wellbeing.

You’re too nice to let yourself be taken advantage of, maybe try and join a new club, or a choir or do a course and meet some new people and ease contact off with this “friend” ?

That is sad.

No experience, but I guess it depends how much you are getting out of the friendship?