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The neighbours are exhausting

Q We have recently moved to live in a cul-de-sac and have found that our neighbours are very friendly with each other. They meet at least once a month - if not more - for a meal, and spend hours chatting on doorsteps. I am an introvert, as is my husband, and we are finding this very exhausting. We don't want to be rude but we want to be able to come and go without someone talking to us all the time.
Lynn, York

A I think you just need to tell them. Explain how delighted you are to have moved into such a friendly place. Then say that you really do want to make friends and socialise when there is a fixed event. Other than that, you'd rather just wave hello if they're on the doorstep and go indoors, as you need to get on with things. Tell them you wanted to explain this, so they didn't see you as rude. I'm sure they will understand.

I'm suffering from burnout