Friendship is like enjoying the benefits of back massage. Just as you need a back massage to relieve stress and soothe anxiety and depression, so do you need friendship/talking therapy.
We all wish to have connections that last. However, maintaining a close relationship shouldn’t be complicated with social media and instant messaging platforms in place.
While friendships are essential, they often become complex when both parties have to act as a source of incredible delight even when confronted with immense pain.
With time, friends reach out less, which can take a toll on them emotionally. So, when and how should you end a friendship that is not working for you?
When to End a Friendship
Any friendship that makes you feel devalued, disregarded, or disrespected needs reevaluation. As days go by, we realize that old connections no longer fit and start drifting apart naturally. Here are signs that it may be time to move on.
– When You’re No Longer a Priority
If you’re unable to reach your friend or they suddenly become disinterested, it means you’re no longer a priority. It’s understandable if this happens for a temporary reason, such as your friend having a baby, making them busier than before. But if you realize that your friend doesn’t think you’re worth their time any longer, it’s time to move on.
– When You No Longer Connect at the Same Level
The success of friendships happens when both parties want the same type of connection. If you are looking for a deeper personal connection while your friend cannot offer the same, your friendship may end up being stagnant and unsatisfying.
– When You Give More than You Take
When your friend becomes a constant taker and rarely a giver, it may result in an unbalanced friendship. If you’re always there for your friend, but they are never there for you, it may be a sign that you need to move on.
– When Your Friend Becomes Mean or Disrespectful
Healthy friendships should offer support and affirmations. A relationship becomes unhealthy when your friend stops respecting your feelings. If you’ve been feeling anxious and negative lately, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate your friendship or best end it.
– When Your Friend is Dishonest and Downplays Your Accomplishment
Deep connections are rooted in trust and honesty. If your friend can no longer be open to telling you the truth, your friendship is likely not to thrive and can be a source of frustration.
Friendships are not competitions. But when you find yourself holding back from sharing the good news to avoid hurting their feelings, it may be a sign of jealousy and might frustrate friendships. A good friend will be happy when you succeed and will always be there to cheer you on.
7 Reasons to End a Friendship
No matter the situation, ending a friendship can be tricky. After all, you might have spent a substantial amount of time with this person, enjoyed the benefits of companionship, and created great memories.
Heartbreaking as it may be, always remember that leaving an unhealthy friendship frees you up for a healthier and more satisfying connection. Here are some of the reasons to end a relationship.
(1) How Do You Feel?
How you feel before, during, and after connecting with your friend can be a reason to end a connection. For instance, if you dread hanging out with your friend and somehow feel put down when you are together, are reasons enough to call it quits.
(2) Lack of Confidentiality
Friendships thrive where there is trust and honesty. A friend is a person you confide in to keep all your private conversations. But when you find your friend constantly sharing your confidential information, that’s a sign that your friendship is unhealthy.
(3) Selfishness
Selfishness is when a friend only looks at their interests at the expense of yours. They are quick to ask for favors and never willing to return the favors when it’s your turn. Such friends can be ungrateful and betray your trust, hence a reason to move on.
(4) Romantic Involvement
Romantic involvement can end a friendship that was once thriving. Romantic involvement could jeopardize platonic friendships whose objective was to strengthen friendship. In contrast, romantic involvement with a different person other than your romantic partner betrays trust and a reason to end a friendship.
(5) Perceptions of Friends and Family
According to research, childhood friendships fall apart, and in most cases, parents are the source of such breakups. When your friend’s family is constantly against your friendship, it might not make a lot of sense to keep such company.
(6) When Reliability Fades
When your friend is constantly canceling a meet-up at the last minute, it could be evidence that you no longer need such a person in life. If your friend cannot come through for you when you need them, it means they have put other priorities first.
(7) Betrayal
Betrayal is a good reason to end a friendship. When a friend goes behind your back, it not only means they lied to you but also broke your trust.
Some situations might be minor, and you can resolve them through forgiveness. But when the betrayal is significant, that friendship might not deserve a second chance.
How to End a Friendship
When it’s time to end a friendship, it’s time to let it go. Some friendships may dissolve on their own where the ending happens slowly. It may start with canceling dinner plans, stopping asking them to join you, or when your friend keeps avoiding you. When you stop trying, friendship fades.
It’s always a good idea to have a conversation about why you are dissolving your friendship. This ensures that both parties feel respected and can easily walk away with an understanding of why the friendship never thrived. Even if the friendship ended in a fight, one final conversation may save the situation and leave everyone happy and content.
During the conversation, try to be respectful to each other in the event where a break-up is one-sided. Be honest about why you are walking away and be keen on how you deliver the news. Maybe your friend never saw it coming. So be kind and mature.
Final Thoughts
Life is unpredictable. Sometimes things come up, but your needs should always be a priority to a good friend. You can always gauge whether the friendship you’re in is something you are willing to keep or let go of. Remember, you have an obligation to your happiness.
