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In this episode of Healthy Teacher Happy Teacher, Jessica dives into one of the most common and painful experiences educators face: emotionally draining friendships, burnout from “being the strong one,” and why highly empathetic teachers often attract people who take more than they give.

You’ll learn the psychology behind why emotionally avoidant or self-centered people gravitate toward warm, grounded teachers, how to recognize the early signs of one-sided relationships, and practical strategies for protecting your mental health, setting clear boundaries, and rebuilding your confidence after a friendship fallout.

Jessica shares personal insights, emotional recovery tools, and uplifting reminders that help teachers reconnect with their worth, refocus their energy, and create healthier, more balanced connections.

If you’ve ever felt used, dismissed, or drained—inside or outside the classroom—this episode will help you understand what happened, validate your feelings, and guide you toward friendships that feel supportive, reciprocal, and real.

Keywords: teacher wellness, teacher burnout, friendship breakup, boundary setting, emotional avoidance, healthy relationships, empathic teachers, teacher mental health, toxic friendships, emotional labor, educator self-care.