How do I respond when a friend's congratulations turn into comforting her?
RelationshipsI told my friend I'd been offered a small exhibition at our local arts centre. She hugged me, then said, "That's brilliant. Nobody ever wants my work." Before I'd finished explaining the exhibition, we were talking about whether she should give up drawing.
It has happened with other good news too. I reassure her because I care about her and genuinely like some of her drawings. Afterwards, I feel selfish for wishing my news had stayed the subject a little longer.
She has been discouraged lately. I don't want to demand a cheerful performance from someone who is having a hard time. But I am starting to save the things I'm excited about for other friends, and I don't want her to learn about the opening later and wonder why I didn't invite her.
Can I bring the conversation back to my news without making her feel that her disappointment is an unwelcome interruption?