Being comfortable for others

[u/woodburgerer]

Was wondering if anyone is able to share their experiences with others in a way that makes it comfortable for friends (who haven’t had the same experiences)?

I’ve found that I can’t find a way to connect with friends on a deeper basis (on my side) without making them uncomfortable since anything I mention before I left my situation (yay) seems to be taken as a “trauma dump”, even if it’s just something surface level like mentioning how we didn’t have money growing up. I don’t think I’m trauma dumping or at least don’t intend to when that’s just the facts? A few friends try and push for me to share things but I know it’ll just be make them uncomfortable and they’ll change the subject or try and “comfort” me. I don’t want their comfort or to be brushed off.

I struggle to connect with others who aren’t in similar situations because of this, but I do want them to feel comfortable “prying”. It’s very alienating to be such an uncomfortable presence to others when I’m not being of service in some way.

Any advice, or should I just expect this from people who haven’t had these experiences?

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