Peeking beneath the surface of one-sided friendships
There’s a saying about ponds: from above, the water looks calm, reflective, and peaceful. But beneath the surface, there’s movement—currents you don’t see, ripples you didn’t cause, and sometimes things swimming quietly in the shadows. Friendships can be a lot like that pond.
Welcome to DuckTalk, where I talk honestly about the truths that don’t always get spoken out loud.
When Support Becomes a Skillset to Borrow
Most of us have been there. You’re doing something you love—building something, learning something, creating something. A friend notices. They admire what you’re doing, maybe even celebrate you for it. Then, slowly, they want in. They ask questions. They ask for help. They lean on your knowledge, your experience, your time.
And because they’re your friend, you give it freely.
You share the shortcuts.
You share the lessons.
You share the mistakes you made so they don’t have to.
You want them to win too. That’s what friendship is supposed to be, right?
But sometimes, somewhere along the way, the dynamic shifts.