Maybe one way to measure relationship importance is to measure it against willingness to be inconvenienced.
In other words: who are you willing to bend over backwards for when you’re busy? Who are you changing plans for in a moment’s notice because they asked? Who are you going out of your way for even when you’re exhausted and don’t feel like it?
The more inconveniences you’re willing to bear for a person, the greater the relationship’s importance. And vice versa.
Does this mean we live our life on another person’s schedule? Or obey another person’s every command like a servant? Or give somebody full access to our energy?
No.
It simply means that certain people have earned time into your schedule—even when it’s packed… that they have earned the right to be served your attention—even when it’s being pulled in a million directions… that they have earned energy access—even when you’re low on stores.
And maybe remembering this can help when people are “inconveniencing you” and you are “inconveniencing” other people.