Being honest and asking your friends for what you want is incredibly hard, but it will make your friendships healthier *and* make you a better friend to them. https://www.thecut.com/2020/05/ask-polly-why-do-my-friendships-always-fade-away.html

Your compassion for others is contingent on your compassion for yourself. When you don't dare to voice your own needs, you often grow to resent the needs of your closest friends.

Refusing to set clear boundaries with difficult friends doesn't make you nicer. It teaches your friends to believe that pushing other people beyond their limits is normal. It gives them a distorted view of how much other people can and can't give.

Trying to be the perfect friend isn't good for you, in other words. You slowly fade into the background and then wonder, years later, why it's so hard to have a voice. That imbalance isn't entirely created by a difficult friend. It's a collaboration.

Saying no to your friends, setting limits with them, giving generously to them, making it very clear what you want from them: These behaviors don't make you a difficult friend. They make you a model of strong boundaries, kindness, and self-compassion.

That said, nothing makes your older and more difficult friendships easier than making new friends. Stick your neck out, be vulnerable, and try not to take rejection too seriously. It will make you more flexible, resilient, and compassionate with all of your friends, and yourself.

And yes, you can do it while isolating. This is a great time to cultivate long distant friendships and social media-based friendships. Most people wouldn't mind having a few new friends right now. Assume that, proceed accordingly, and resolve not to overthink rejection.