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The original was posted on /r/tifu by /u/PhilosopherDue6504 on 2025-06-21 02:29:08+00:00.

Last month I helped a friend move into a new apartment. I carried boxes, helped assemble furniture, ran errands, the whole deal. She kept thanking me and asking what she could do in return, and I kept saying: “Don’t worry about it. I’m just happy to help.”

A week later, I got sick. Like, properly out-of-it sick. I didn’t tell anyone because, again, I’m the “don’t worry about it” guy.

No one checked in. No texts. No soup deliveries. No “do you need anything?” I lay in bed for two days, genuinely wondering if anyone would notice if I disappeared for a while.

Eventually, I did bring it up to a close friend and he just shrugged and said, “You always say you’re fine. I figured you’d tell us if you needed anything.”

And that’s when it hit me. I taught the people around me not to worry about me and they listened.

So yeah, I’ve started rephrasing. Now it’s more like, “I’ve got it, but I’d appreciate the help.” Still learning how to ask. Still unlearning the idea that needing things makes me a burden.

TL;DR: Told people “don’t worry about it” too many times. They stopped worrying. Felt invisible. Learning to actually let people show up for me now