I never imagined I’d one day write about this. I always thought that some friendships were unbreakable that no matter what happened, some bonds were too deep to be destroyed. But life taught me otherwise
Yes, I have ended a friendship before. Not just any friendship, but one I believed would last a lifetime.
We met when life was still simple no heavy responsibilities, no real pressure, just dreams and youthful laughter. She came into my life like a breath of fresh air, and in no time, we became each other’s person. She was the first person I called when anything happened, good or bad. We had countless memories, shared secrets, planned trips we never took, and made promises we truly believed we’d keep forever.
But over time, things started to shift. The laughter became forced. The conversations grew shallow. I began to feel small around her, like I had to dim my light to make her feel comfortable. She criticized more than she complimented, competed more than she celebrated me. And somehow, I kept pretending not to notice.
The truth is I held on too long. I kept hoping things would go back to the way they were. I blamed myself, wondering if I was being too sensitive or too distant. But deep down, I knew the friendship wasn’t healthy anymore. It wasn’t feeding my soul it was draining it.
The breaking point came during a time I really needed her. I was going through something deeply personal and painful. I expected her to be there, like I had always been for her. But she wasn't. She brushed off my pain, made everything about her, and even made me feel guilty for needing support. That’s when it hit me: this wasn’t friendship anymore. It was emotional exhaustion dressed up as loyalty.
I didn’t end it with a fight. I didn’t send a long message or try to explain. I just stopped trying. No calls. No check-ins. No chasing. I quietly walked away with tears in my eyes and a heaviness in my heart.
Do I regret it? Sometimes. I miss what we had. I miss the version of her that made me laugh until my stomach hurt. I miss the late-night chats and the feeling of having “my person.” But when I think about the pain, the confusion, the feeling of being unseen and unheard I know I did the right thing.
I’ve learned that not all friendships are meant to last forever. Some are meant to teach us, shape us, and then gently release us. And that’s okay.
If you’re holding on to a friendship that no longer feels like love, please know this: choosing your peace isn’t betrayal. It’s self-respect. And walking away, even with a broken heart, is sometimes the bravest thing you can do. The image form Ai generated
