Every friend group has a "mom friend," the one who is always there if you need a shoulder to cry on, or even if you just need to vent. But being the mom friend all the time can be exhausting. Sometimes, you put your own stressors on the back-burner in order to deal with other peoples' problems, and the stress can end up building up. If you feel like this is you, I want you to know that you're allowed to prioritize yourself, too.

Though I've never considered myself the "mom friend" (my advice is far too adventurous and reliant on my heart rather than my head), I have been put in a tough spot before, having to choose between helping my friends with their stressors versus focusing on mine. This past week, I've had a lot on my plate, with exams, assignments, and extracurricular activities piling up, and the last thing I need is other peoples' problems on my plate as well. Don't get me wrong, I love my friends, I truly do, but loving your friends and dealing with all their problems are two completely separate things.

It's totally okay to simply say you're too busy to deal with something at the moment and that you'll catch up with your friend tomorrow or in a few days!

The important thing is that communication is key. When we're stressed about things, we don't often consider other peoples' emotions. Taking time for yourself is fine as long as your friends know that you aren't isolating them.

So, to the "mom friend" of my friend group, I want you to take a deep breath. We will love you no matter what, even if you tell us that you just don't have the mental energy to deal with more stress at the moment. Our friendship is not conditional; I don't just love you because you have comfy shoulders, I love you because of all of the good you have in your heart and all of the kindness you give to others. I realize that we're only human, and if stress isn't dealt with, it can take a toll on us. So, grab your favorite snack, curl up by the TV, dim the lights, binge watch FRIENDS, and think about how much you love Chandler Bing-- you deserve it, BFF!