Q&A for How to Break Up with Your Friend

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  • Question
    What should you say to break off a friendship?
    Kim Chronister, PsyD
    Clinical Psychologist
    Dr. Kim Chronister is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She specializes in helping people struggling with substance abuse, relationship problems, eating disorders, and personality disorders. Dr. Chronister has contributed to and appeared on Access Hollywood, Investigation Discovery, and NBC News. She is the author of “Peak Mindset” and “FitMentality.” She holds an MA in Clinical Psychology and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) from Alliant International University.
    Clinical Psychologist
    Expert Answer
    Let the person that you are disappointed with the friendship and that you need some time to yourself.
  • Question
    How do I break up with a friend who really wants to be my friend again?
    Community Answer
    Let her know you were not satisfied with the friendship, and the decision was final. If there was something specific that bothered you about her friendship, you could try to explain that and let the friend know that they would have to change this if they wanted to be friends again.
  • Question
    What can I do if my friend is threatening to beat me up if I end our friendship?
    Community Answer
    Anyone who threatens that is not your friend! End the relationship asap and if you take the threat seriously, make sure you are with a group when you might encounter that person and let others know to tell you if they spot the ex friend lurking around. You could also speak to local police to see if a restraining order is possible, particularly if you have threatening messages from them or something like that where that have made a direct credible threat and you can prove it. If at school, tell an adult about the threat.
  • Question
    What should I do if my mom is mad that I broke off a friendship?
    Community Answer
    Tell your mother your side of the story in a mature way. If you speak calmly, she will be more likely to listen to what you have to say.
  • Question
    How can I get my friend back after breaking up with them?
    Community Answer
    Sit down and think over the reason for breaking up with them, as well as the reasons for getting back with them. If the getting back with them reasons are genuine and weigh more, then consider whether it will work when you get back and what the effects might be. The effects should be overwhelmingly positive and not negative. If they are positive, then tell your friend the reasons why you would like to get back with them, tell them the positive outcomes and check if it applies the other way. If they find it fine, then it will work out. Don't have high hopes at the beginning. Let the time pass and you will know whether it was a good/bad call.
  • Question
    Should I do it in front of our other friends?
    Community Answer
    That's not the best idea. Do this privately so your friends won't take sides. If you do this around other friends, you will only create more drama. You may also end up losing several friends in the process.
  • Question
    What do you do if your friend takes it the wrong way?
    Community Answer
    Tell them what you really meant. If they are stubborn about it and don't believe you, that's fine because you know what you meant.
  • Question
    What should I do if a friend gets dared to ask out my crush?
    Community Answer
    Tell your friend about your crush. If she is a good friend, she will not do the dare. But be sure to support her if she gets harassed for not doing the dare.
  • Question
    I recently broke up with my friend and I don't feel as happy as I used to. Did I do something wrong?
    Community Answer
    Wrong, no. You are just feeling a little sad and guilty that you may have hurt someone.
  • Question
    What if I have most of my classes with my ex-friends?
    Community Answer
    Try to make new friends in your class and do not pay much attention to your ex-friends. If your new friend is absent, try to distract yourself from them by entertaining yourself.
  • Question
    What do I do if I have to deal with her mom?
    Community Answer
    Ask her if she will sit down with you. If she agrees, respectfully, calmly, and maturely explain your decision to break up with your friend, her daughter.
  • Question
    What if my ex-friend makes me jealous after I have broken up with them?
    Community Answer
    Don't pay attention to them. Just walk away, and if absolutely necessary, tell them to leave you alone.
  • Question
    My friend keeps begging me for another chance, but whenever I do give her another chance she's even worse to me than before. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Just ignore her. Get as far away from her as possible. Delete her number or block her. She's not worth it; she doesn't deserve another chance.
  • Question
    Should I end my new friendship because my friend hates my spouse?
    Community Answer
    It depends. If your friend is always bugging you about him/her (and that means always), then first ask your friend why (s)he hates your spouse. If you too are really annoyed, then maybe confront the friend or let your friendship drift apart. If you want to stay friends, then ask whether your friend can let it go and not be so 'critical' about him/her.
  • Question
    What if it doesn't work?
    Community Answer
    If you set things straight whilst telling the person how you feel, it should work.
  • Question
    I have a "best friend" but she only seems to like me when we're not with our group of friends. Should I let it fade out or confront her?
    Community Answer
    You should confront her. Tell her how you feel about the way she acts, and why it's important that she stop. It's best to know where you stand with her now, rather than later.
  • Question
    How can I get out of an abusive friendship?
    Community Answer
    Try to limit your time with the person. Stop sharing secrets and other things with them. Maybe they will get the picture.
  • Question
    What happens if I said the wrong thing?
    Community Answer
    If you said the wrong thing, then you need to apologize for it and correct yourself. Make sure the message is passed on correctly.
  • Question
    What if the friend keeps stalking us?
    Community Answer
    If they stalk you, ignore them. They will get the point that stalking you isn't helping anyway.
  • Question
    My friend broke up with me over some silly things and is now ignoring me every chance he gets. The problem is that he and I have many mutual friends and they seem to be on his side.
    Community Answer
    If you still want to be friends with the guy who broke up with you, talk to him. Tell him you're sorry for your part in the fight, even if you're not. Try to work it out. If you don't care about being friends with him anymore, try to tell your other friends your side of the story. If they won't listen, maybe you need to find a new group to hang out with.
  • Question
    What if she (the person I don't want to be friends with) sits next to me?
    Top Answerer
    Regardless of the practical circumstances, if you really want to break up, break up. Then find a way to change the practical circumstances. Ask your teachers if it's OK to switch positions. It will be awkward to sit next to each other, but that should never stop you from doing what you feel you have to do.
  • Question
    What if my friend is someone with dirt on me and I don't want to end the friendship?
    Top Answerer
    A friendship based on blackmail or fear is not a friendship. Being afraid the person will use whatever dirt on you to hurt you if you break up, that's no way to go through life. Friends don't 'have dirt' on each other, friends trust each other not to use the dirt they have, not under any circumstances, including the end of the friendship. If push comes to shove, the way out is to remove the dirt, either by fessing up or downplaying it. Find a way to make that card they are holding a lot less valuable.
  • Question
    My BFFs are twins, so when I try to break up with them, they help each other out. They criticize me and hurt my feelings. How should I deal with this?
    Community Answer
    Ignore them! Tell them you're not friends anymore, and that's it. Don't talk to them anymore. Spend time with your other friends. Remember that whatever they say to you, they're only saying it because they want to upset you. None of it is true, so you shouldn't let it hurt your feelings.
  • Question
    My friend is always in my life. Our moms are really good friends so we often do carpooling and such, so even if I flat out tell her, things will be very awkward and won't work out. What do I do?
    Top Answerer
    Your feelings are worth more than the practical circumstances. If you're sure you want to break up with her, then the practical circumstances have to change, no matter how awkward or inconvenient it is. Can you slowly phase it out? Maybe ask your mom if she has a solution.
  • Question
    I have been BFFs with this girl since we were 3. We are teenagers now and are drifting apart. She doesn't wanna hang out/sleep over at our houses anymore. What do I do?
    Top Answerer
    It's normal, you know. Friends drift apart sometimes. Rare are the friends that stay with us for an entire lifetime. You can also trust that you will make new friends, so that's a comfort. However, you must pursue what you want. If you want to continue being friends with her, talk to her about how you feel, see what the reasons are why you're drifting apart and if both of you can and want to make something work, you can continue. Hugs always help as well.
  • Question
    My friend is very sensitive. Even when I try to give half an ounce of criticism he always manages to turn things around and make me feel like I'm a total jerk. What's the best way to deal with this?
    Community Answer
    This shows that he is very sensitive. Maybe it's best to just stop criticizing him. If you are giving him constructive criticism and it's not a problem then you have to tell him how you feel about what he is doing. If he doesn't understand then find a new friend that doesn't make you look like a total jerk.
  • Question
    How do I split with a group of friends that are being horrible to me and leaving me out?
    Community Answer
    If they are horrible to you and are leaving you out, they aren't your friends to begin with and separating yourself from them should be easy as they have started the break up. Be true to yourself and just leave them be.
  • Question
    How can I ignore a friend?
    Community Answer
    Well, first of all, if the friendship can be fixed, try to fix it. But if it can't, change your routine so that you don't bump into this friend anymore.
  • Question
    My friend follows me around and sits next to me in every class. How do I break up with them?
    Community Answer
    You don't need to break up with them, just explain how you are uncomfortable with them doing this. If they don't understand, you are better off without them. Just tell them that if they can't respect your feelings, then you don't want to hang out/be friends with with them anymore.
  • Question
    What if your best friend starts talking to someone else and ignores you? You don't have any other friends.
    Community Answer
    It is always a good idea to have multiple friends. Try to make some new friends so your original friend doesn't see you as clingy and desperate.
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