I've always been a bit of a 'lad' and never had female friends because I believed they were all bitchy (thanks internalised misogyny) flash forward and I now really appreciate female friends BUT I suck at the supporting thing.

My best friend is going through a really hard time right now and lives on the west coast so I can't easily visit. We're on the phone a couple times a week and a lot of it is her venting which I understand but I never know if I'm doing the right thing.

Most of her problems don't have solutions right now (her estranged dad is suicidal in another country, her mom is leeching money off him even though they're divorced she just doesn't want to work, her boyfriend is too busy with his career and two shared custody kids to give her time and she's struggling to afford rent) and I've always been quite logical so if I come across trying times I get upset, sure, but I keep it logical and work to get through it. I don't know how to help her out or talk to her about it because I feel useless without being able to offer any real advice.

When you're venting about life, what do you want a friend to do?

Sorry if it's a ridiculous question I just never had experience when I was younger.