Calling It Quits With A Guy Is One Thing, But Here’s How To Break Up With A Friend If You’re Finally Ready To Part Ways
We’re always seeing stories and pieces in the media that give us advice on how to break things off with our romantic partners.
However, people often forget that breaking up with a friend is just as if not more painful than breaking up with a romantic partner.
For many people, their friends are some of the most important humans in their lives. I, for one, know I couldn’t live without my supportive friends.
But often, some friends flow in and out of our lives. We’re not all friends with the same people we were friends with 10 years ago.
While most of us get lucky and don’t have to part ways with an old friend, it just happens naturally with no bad blood, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, you have to break up with a friend.
As if losing a friend isn’t hard enough, having to tell them your relationship must end is even harder.
If a former friend is no longer supporting you or treating you the way you should be treated, and it’s time to part ways, here are some tips for breaking up with a friend.
Check-in with your friend
This is kind of a “last chance” to get your friend to open up to you. If they’ve been flaking out on plans, teasing you, or not being responsive without telling you why, sit them down for a chat and see if they’ll open up to you. Let them know that you’ve been feeling tension and concerned about them.
dikushin – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual people
If they finally open up and let you know that something’s been wrong, maybe you can work things out.
If not, then you can begin to break things off, knowing that you gave them the opportunity to express themselves.
Pick a medium that feels right
You should think about your friendship with this person before choosing a medium to “break up” with them.
For instance, if this person has been in your life for over 10 years, texting them that you don’t want to be their friend anymore may be harsh.
In that case, a face-to-face conversation or at least a video chat would be more appropriate.
Don’t blame them, but let them know what you need
When breaking up with a friend, it can be tempting to get angry with them and tell them everything they’ve been doing wrong, especially if their actions have upset you deeply.
However, in order to make things more civil, you can approach the conversation by talking about your needs.
For instance, you can tell them that you need support, a listening ear, and love from your friends, but they haven’t been giving it to you.
You can tell them you need to surround yourself with people who don’t make you feel like you’re walking on eggshells. Then, tell them you haven’t had those needs met in your friendship.
Acknowledge the good times
One of the best ways to lighten a breakup, whether it’s with a friend or romantic partner, is to acknowledge the good times you had and let them know you appreciate them.
Something to keep in mind when ending a relationship is that it wasn’t all bad. It’s a way to prevent yourself from thinking your relationship was a “waste of time” because it wasn’t.
Tell your friend you really appreciate all the good times you shared together but that you need to move on and can’t show up for your friendship the way you used to.
Avoid ghosting
While it may seem easy to ghost your friend and cut off contact to break up with them, don’t do it. I know if you’re angry with someone, ghosting quickly comes to mind. However, ghosting has traumatic effects on a person.
The lack of closure can really get to them, and eventually, it can get to you. Save yourself and your former friend months of torment and have a conversation with them, giving your friendship closure.
Losing a friend is extremely hard, especially when you don’t drift apart naturally. Remember to take good care of yourself as you grieve your friendship, and know that there are more friends that will enter your life later down the line.
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
More About:Advice