Becoming A Stranger
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Becoming A Stranger

Are you there? Can you hear me?

8
Becoming A Stranger
Pixels

According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, a stranger is a foreigner or someone who is unknown. Sociologist Georg Simmel said that a stranger is someone who does not belong.

Recently I have found myself drifting farther and farther from a group of friends I have had since elementary school. I send text messages that don't get responses and I plan events where no one shows up. Some of it is that we all go to different schools now, but I find it hard to believe that over the course of six months I have come to mean so little to them that they consciously ignore any effort of mine to reach out.

I have even noticed that the same group of friends I am trying to rekindle my friendship with get together without inviting me or they check their social media instead of taking the two minutes to respond to my text.

I have half a mind to just let them go. In two years, I will have moved far away and will have a new job and have met new people. The other half of me doesn't want the friendship I have worked so hard for to crash and burn, to become nothing but a memory.

So I now implore these same friends to read the following letter and tell me that they honestly do not want me to retain any sort of friendship.

Dear Friends,

I have known all of you since a time when we were awkward and prepubescent. We faced the trials of middle school, puberty, and high school together. What does our friendship mean to you now? Is it worth getting together a few times a year? Has our friendship deteriorated into the polite kind of friendship that only requires the obligatory "happy birthday" message on Facebook?

Do you want to be present in my life more than the occasional drunk "how are you text?" Do you want to be able to help me when I struggle or are you content to see only the facade I keep up on social media? Truly, I still want to be friends with you. I am just sick of being the only one to put forth the effort.

It comes down to one question. Do you want to continue to know me?

If not let me know now so I don't waste my time.

Sincerely,

The Neglected Friend

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57518
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37039
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958779
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

191190
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments