How To Deal with A Friend Who Has Changed

Friendships change as people grow older, which is a harsh reality. Sometimes in life, we may connect with someone through shared interests or experiences but then discover that our shared passions have diminished. They now have various priorities, tastes, and people to socialize with.

You may either walk away from this scenario and take things personally, or you can act like the bigger person and be kind and patient with them as they become their new selves.

The latter is usually preferable because relationships are fundamentally dynamic and ever-changing. To keep them together over time, you must be extremely understanding and empathic. Here are a few ways to do this:

1. Patience

Your friend can be going through a difficult time in their lives, facing an internal conflict, or making difficult decisions. In these situations, they should receive support and encouragement rather than judgment for their changes.

Even if the individuals in your life aren't investing as much energy in your relationship as they once did, have patience with them. There is something that everyone experiences but keeps quiet about.

2. Talk To Them

Instead of making assumptions and leaping to conclusions, have a direct chat with your friend concerning what is happening.

Their changed behavior may be unrelated to you and stems from anything else they're going through. You will know if you communicate. A healthy friendship requires the ability to set aside one's ego and communicate.

3. Embrace Them for Who They Are

If you are interested in psychology, you should be aware that human behavior is constantly changing. As we grow older, we gain new knowledge and experience, which alters our perspective about the world.

Relationships also suffer from this. The friends you had in school might be different from the friends who had college. Also, the friends you had in college or school might change after getting married. If you want to maintain your friendships despite this, you need to learn to forgive and accept people more.

4. Get To Know Them Once More

Don't be the person who criticizes your buddies for moving higher in life. If they're improving, take inspiration from them instead of feeling scared or insecure. Rather than criticizing them, cheer for them.

Ask them to show you how they accomplished their goal. If the way they act does not make sense to you, however, the friendship is vital to you, so try to reconnect with them.

5. Give It Time

Changes in school or work schedules, as well as new relationships, might make it difficult to keep in touch with your old best friend on a regular basis. Spending less time with someone you depended on and who depended on you can make you feel a bit off.

You might be confused, upset, or even frustrated. Allow yourself enough time and room to process any feelings that surface. Change is a normal aspect of life, but that does not mean it is always easy to accept. It is entirely possible to preserve the deep friendships you have formed; however, some adjustments may be required.

Give yourself and others some time to adjust to the changes happening. Major changes often make us think and feel deeply, which is normal and can be beneficial. Reflecting on past friendships can lead to important questions:

• What lessons did I learn from this friendship?
• What qualities do I value in a friend?
• What types of friendships matter to me currently?

It's a good opportunity to prioritize your own needs and think about what you require at this moment.

6. Express Your Emotions

When you experience strong emotions, it's helpful to talk to someone about it. Holding everything inside can make you feel overwhelmed. Whether you share with a friend or write it down in a journal, expressing yourself will lighten the emotional burden.

It could be a wonderful moment to reconnect with a childhood friend or branch out from your current friend circle. Going outside your core group minimizes the likelihood that a common friend may reveal your private thoughts regarding the changes in your prior friendship, which could lead to some drama!

You could even talk to a trustworthy family member or a counselor about how you're feeling. While it may be difficult, consider communicating how you've been feeling with a buddy you don't see as often. Tell them how you feel about it. You might discover that they share your sentiments, and you can devise a plan to stay in touch.

Conclusion

In conclusion, dealing with changes in friendships needs patience, understanding, and talking openly. People change over time, and so do friendships. By accepting these changes and talking openly with our friends, we can make our bonds stronger.

It's important to express our feelings and give ourselves and others time to adjust. Overall, caring about our friendships' growth and happiness can lead to long-lasting and satisfying relationships.