Like romantic relationships, friendships can end.
Lets start giving friendship break ups the respect they deserve.
Carly Breitintervieweda clinical therapist named Miriam Kirmayer and a psychotherapist Marni Feuerman on the topic forTime.
Sometimes, you just let it die.
This can create situations where we can end up feeling hurt, says Kirmayer.
You might find it far less confusing and open-ended if you discuss whats happening, even if its awkward.
It might be difficult, but then you at least both know where you stand.
Its possible youll never see one another again, but lets face it.
Its a small world.
Better to know how you will be interacting if you bump into one another out there.
Theres a lot of confusion about what a friendship breakup means, explains Feuerman.
Are you still planning to communicate in certain contexts?
Are you open to seeing each other in a group setting if you have mutual friends?
Feuerman actually recommends setting certain parameters towards thebeginningof friendships, so you know what youre expecting of one another.
She admits this is hard and extremely rare.
That might be enough to keep a future breakup from happening in the first place.
It must mean one of you is bad, or did something wrong, right?
Sometimes friendships just arent working, and that doesnt reflect anything about the people involved.
Theyre just not suited to each other, and thats okay.
If you manage to let go of that feeling, then talk about it openly.
Itll help everyone around you.
They feel like they are doing something wrong going through friendship breakups.
We arent surprised when romantic relationships end.
There shouldnt be pressure to assume all friends are BFFs.
Youll actually go through a bit of a grief process with it, and thats okay, says Feuerman.
Be honest about how you feel and process it.
Its normal to miss somebody, even when they dont have a place in your life anymore.
