Is not being always available being a bad friend?

No. If you've ever flown on a plane, you've sat through the safety briefing. In case of an emergency, oxygen masks will drop and parents of small children are specifically instructed to put their masks on first before putting their children's masks on.

The same principle applies here. You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of your friends, and that means sometimes you have to say no to them. Real friends understand this. If it's a problem for them, then they aren't your friends.

Can you not compromise by not answering but instead texting that you're tied up (don't be specific) and you'll speak to them soon?

No it is not. You have your own individual life and we all need space. If someone expects you to be always available for them they are being selfish and not having care for you and your needs.

We just almost had a tornado touch down. We're all fine but my friend since 1991 has health issues, comes home from an office job and sleeps for 4 hours. He won't see a doctor about it.

So I text him like 9 or 10 times about it, the tornado, now my messages won't send. I feel like he blocked me all so he could get sleep. Like I guess I can't rely on him for support 😞

One thing that I learned is that you get what you give, you just have to give to the right people. Sometimes it's hard to know who the right people are. You don't have to be available every time they call. You're allowed to be busy.

No. It's unhealthy always making yourself available to others especially if they don't do it for you . You must look after yourself first before you can look after others .

Who says we have to be at our friends beck and call? Friends like that you don't need.

{@fifidog] i am not going to patronise you but they may be in difficulty until you answer the phone you will not know a friend in need is a friend indeed

Trust me, I fell into that trap myself around 18/19 years old, learn to say no, if you don't they will soon control and constantly guilt trip you into doing what they want, live for yourself.