Dear Doctor Love,
How do you deal with a friend who complains about everything? She has been my friend since high school, but as we’ve grown older, I expected her to mature and stop complaining about small issues. There isn’t a single outing we can go on without her making a big deal out of what would otherwise be a minor problem. She even complains when things go right. What bothers me the most is that lately she has started making petty complaints about other people—sometimes just individuals walking by—without even knowing them. I’m finding this increasingly annoying and am beginning to dread spending time with her. /s/ Miss Petty
Dear Miss Petty,
It sounds like your friend has developed a habit of focusing on the negative, and unfortunately, habits like this don’t just vanish with age. It’s understandable that you’re reaching your limit—constant negativity is draining, especially when she’s critiquing people who aren’t even involved in your time together. Sometimes people don’t realize how much they’re bringing others down, so it might help to gently bring this up. Try something like, “I’d love for us to enjoy our time together more without focusing on what’s going wrong.” This way, it’s clear that you’re hoping for more positivity without criticizing her directly. If she’s open to it, great; if not, remember that sometimes friends grow apart as we evolve. It’s okay to prioritize relationships that bring peace and positivity into your life. /s/ Dr. Love
Dear Dr. Love,
Is there a reason why rent is so high on the island? I am not sure how an average worker can afford a decent place to live. /s/ Sky High Rent
Dear Sky High Rent,
You’ve touched on a real issue here—finding affordable housing on the island has become a major challenge. Part of it is that the island’s appeal draws high-income expats and investors, which drives up rental prices to cater more to vacationers than locals. With more properties turning into short-term rentals like Airbnbs, the pool of long-term rentals shrinks, making it tough for full-time residents to find reasonable housing. Many locals are starting to push for regulations, like capping the number of short-term rentals an owner can manage, to create a fairer balance. This kind of change may take time, but it’s worth joining the conversation to keep the community livable for everyone. /s/ Dr. Love
Dear Doctor Love,
I love my husband. He’s kind, loving, and generous. However, my issue is that he goes out of his way to cater to me, and I often feel smothered. No matter where I am, he feels the need to be right there with me, constantly asking if I need anything. If I go to grab something, he jumps up to do it instead. At first, I appreciated this, but now it’s becoming annoying. It feels like I can’t do anything by myself.
The more he desires “together” time, the more I feel the urge to push him away. My friends tell me I should feel lucky that he wants to be with me, but I just want some occasional time alone. Am I wrong for feeling this way? /s/ Need some space
Dear Need Some Space,
You’re not wrong at all! Even when love and care are the motives, constant closeness can start to feel overwhelming. It sounds like you’re craving a bit of breathing room to recharge and feel like yourself again. Try gently explaining to him that while you love his care and companionship, having time to yourself makes your togetherness even better. Suggest that each of you pursue some solo hobbies or activities that don’t always involve the other. He might just need that nudge to see that a little distance isn’t about rejecting him but about keeping your relationship healthy and balanced. Space can be a beautiful thing, even in the best relationships. /s/ Dr. Love
Doctor Love is the islands, and possibly the world’s greatest authority on just about everything. The Doctor answers questions concerning any subject except religion or politics. Persons needing additional assistance or counseling should contact Family Services Division at 227-7541. The opinions herein are not necessarily of The San Pedro Sun. Write Doctor Love at PO Box 51, San Pedro Town, Belize, or email: [email protected]
