When fictional journalist Andie Anderson set out on a mission to lose a guy in 10 days for an article in the 2003 rom-com, she did everything in her power to drive Ben away.When fictional journalist Andie Anderson set out on a mission to lose a guy in 10 days for an article in the 2003 rom-com, she did everything in her power to drive Ben away. From classic clinginess to poor table manners, she pulled out all the stops to prove that shedding someone close to you is as simple as displaying a few etiquette faux pas. But in truth, as we all know, breakups are more complicated than that—and it gets even worse when you have to break up with a friend. Few unwritten rule books even exist, let alone written ones. When it comes to letting go of a friend, we hesitate—not knowing how to break the news. This further prolongs the discomfort, explains Miriam Kirmayer, therapist and friendship researcher. It signals the loss not just of your friendship, but in many cases, your shared social circle. The terms of a friendship breakup itself are nebulous: Should you delete them from your life entirely, or cordially reach out on their birthday? While you may have had childhood plans to buy property next to each other and host dinner parties together well into retirement, major life transitions like moving abroad, starting a new job, or beginning a family can place you both in entirely different life stages. Suddenly, you find yourselves with little to talk about and a waning interest in each other’s day-to-day. It’s not that all good things necessarily must come to an end, but it’s crucial to be realistic about when the end might free you from the shackles of an expired friendship. Here, how to navigate breaking up with a friend.
POST: 2024-04-27