Abby Connolly
The following column is the opinion and analysis of the writer, Abby Connolly.
Is there a friend of yours that you’ve realized you’ve only kept them around because you feel obligated to?
Friendships fading out is a normal part of life, although it may be sad. Sometimes, it happens naturally while you and that person grow apart. Other times, one person may have to take initiative and end things.
Of course, sometimes, our friends go through phases and need a little extra support or help while they work things out. But if you’ve been friends with someone toxic for a long time, that’s not good.
If you have a ‘friend’ who has only been bringing you down instead of up, taking up a lot of your energy and not looking out for you, the ball is in your court to end the vicious cycle. Here are some tips for maturely and gently ending a bad friendship.
Don’t Involve Other People
If this friend is someone you’ve hung out with in a group setting, you’ve most likely talked to a mutual friend about their behavior. But when it comes to ending a friendship, the conversation should only involve you and that one person.
Avoid creating extra drama or tension by inviting other people into the moment. A lot of the time, we feel as though we need ‘back up’ for these kinds of conversations, but it really should be left for you and your friend.
Plan Out What You Want To Say
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