Friend: "Ugh my life sucks because X." Me: "Hey, sorry to hear that. Insert a bunch of emotional stuff to cheer you up here. In the future, you can get around X by doing Y." Friend: "Cool, I'll do that." ~A month later~ Friend: "Ugh my life sucks because X." Me: "Hey, sorry to hear that. Insert a bunch of emotional stuff to cheer you up here. I guess Y didn't work then?" Friend: "No, I didn't do it because what difference is it going to make?" Me: "Seriously, it'll help. I used to hate X, then I did Y, now I'm good." "Alright I'll do it." ~Two weeks later~ Friend: "Ugh my life sucks because X." Me: "Hey, sorry to hear that. Insert a bunch of emotional stuff to cheer you up here. I guess Y didn't work then?" Friend: "No, I didn't do it because what difference is it going to make?" On repeat and on repeat for about three years.