Why do I feel like I'm always the one who has to initiate plans?

Feeling like you're always the one initiating plans can be frustrating and make you question whether people actually want to spend time with you or if you're being too pushy or needy. This pattern often reflects different personality styles and social preferences rather than a lack of care or interest from others. Some people are natural organizers and initiators who enjoy planning activities and bringing people together, while others are more passive but genuinely appreciate when someone else takes the lead. Your friends might assume you enjoy being the planner, or they might be grateful that you handle the logistics of maintaining social connections because it's not their strength or preference. However, this dynamic can become exhausting if you feel like you're carrying the entire burden of maintaining Interpersonal relationship. You might start to feel resentful or worry that if you stopped reaching out, the friendships would disappear entirely. Sometimes this pattern develops because you have higher social needs than your friends, or because you're more comfortable with vulnerability and emotional expression, making you more likely to reach out when you want connection. It's also possible that some of your friendships are indeed one-sided, where people enjoy your company but aren't willing to invest equal effort in maintaining the relationship. The key is distinguishing between friends who appreciate your initiative but show care in other ways, and those who are simply taking advantage of your efforts without reciprocating. Pay attention to how people respond when you reach out - do they seem genuinely happy to hear from you and make time for you, or do they seem reluctant or frequently cancel? Consider having honest conversations with close friends about this dynamic and expressing that you'd appreciate them reaching out sometimes too. You might also experiment with pulling back slightly to see who makes an effort to maintain contact. Remember that quality matters more than quantity in friendships, and it's better to have a few friends who truly value you than many who take you for granted. Some people show care through actions rather than words or initiative, so look for other signs that people value your friendship beyond who initiates contact.