Being there for a friend doesn’t mean fixing them. You’re a friend, not a repair shop.

Helping and solving are different jobs, and the second one is rarely yours. When somebody you care about is struggling, the urge to supply a plan is mostly about your own discomfort with watching, and it can leave them feeling like a problem being processed rather than a person being accompanied. Presence is not a lesser offering. It is usually the thing being asked for.

Next time a friend brings you something heavy, ask whether they want ideas or company, then do the one they pick. If it is company, stay quiet longer than feels natural. Check back in a few days, which is the part most people skip.