Ahgh yes all of this is real for me too Ellen. I so wish we could have a coffee and have a long, space holding, listening chat! I attracted "me me me" types a lot when I was younger, because I am a good listener, but it can be soul zapping. I do have a couple of more two sided friendships in terms of the listening/talking, although I don't see them very often living where I do there is such a difference when you know you are being heard and seen. But I do have long term valued friendships with space vacuums too, they have their occasional charms lol. I wish for you to find some good listeners soon. There really should be some sort of "introvert writer friend match" service online!