LIFE

What do you do when you’ve outgrown a best friend and made a new bestie?

Great question—and it doesn’t have an easy answer. All of us, at some point in our lives (and often many times in our lives), develop friendships that fizzle out over the years. Sometimes it’s because of an incident or event, other times it’s because we grow apart. It’s brave of you to recognize that a friendship is on the rocks and want to deal with it the best you can. Try these three tips to navigate your bestie fallout.

Watch Your Language
Be careful with the term “best friend.” Especially if you have a big group of friends, the term “best friend” can be hurtful, whether or not you mean for it to be. Is this a girl who you are still close with, but are realizing you’re not as close to as you once were? Chances are, she realizes it too, and there’s no need to have a “break up” talk.

Don’t Flaunt
It is the *worst* feeling in the world to be the ex-BFF and have to watch your old friend and her new BFF parade around school like two peas in a pod. Be mindful of her feelings. It’s OK to develop new friendships, but it’s not OK to act out or speak badly behind your ex-BFF’s back.

Be Friendly
Even if you guys aren’t besties anymore, waving to each other in the hallway is still totally cool! Unless you have a major bone to pick with her, being friendly toward each other is definitely the mature thing to do.

How do you handle saying bye to a bestie? Let us know in the comments!

by Emily Schwartz | 2/5/2018