Your role in the group
In most friend groups everyone ends up with a role. Some roles are fun. Some quietly wear you out. Today you name yours.
The job nobody gave you
The organiser, who books the table and chases the replies. The therapist, who everyone calls in a crisis. The peacekeeper, who smooths things over. The one who always drives. The joker, who keeps it light even when they are not okay.
Roles often start as something you are good at. Over time, they can turn into something you are expected to do, and nobody notices the effort because you make it look easy.
Group psychologists have long observed that members settle into stable roles, and that roles can persist long after they stop suiting the person in them. Seeing your role as a role, rather than as who you are, is what makes it possible to change it.
Which roles do you play?
If you stopped doing your main role for a month, what do you think would happen? What are you afraid would happen?
Take this with you
A role you are good at can still be a role you are tired of.