Think back to first grade, 7th grade, freshmen year of high school. Who were you closest friends? Did you ever think you wouldn't be friends? Now think about now, how many of those people are still your closest friends? Although some people are lucky enough to have kept some of those people in their lives, many of us find that we don't speak with those people anymore. We move on from people, or we grow apart, or there is something that causes the friendship to end. All of those things are okay, and perfectly normal. It's important for us to realize that it is okay to end friendships, even ones that we have had for long periods of time, and that you are not a bad person for doing so.
1. You had a falling out
Everyone has fights, but sometimes there is a fight that just can't be resolved. That's okay. It may not be exactly what you wanted, but it is something that you will learn from. Whether it was you who instigated the argument, or you were on the receiving side, it is something that happens to everyone at some point in their life and you shouldn't hold on to any negative feelings about it for too long.
2. You drifted apart
People change, and that is just part of life. Whether you just no longer share the same interests that you once did, or you have met people who you just click with better, there is nothing wrong with just not sharing that same connecting that you once did. As long as you recognize that sometimes people change, there is really no harm in this situation.
3. You left for college
This is a big one, especially for those of you who are in the summer before you start your freshman year of college. There will be friends who you have now, who this time next year you no longer will. Everyone is about to go off their separate ways, and that's okay. Although you will maintain some of those friendships, a fair amount of them you will lose contact with. You may favorite their tweets, or like their Instagram photos, but you won't be texting every day or making plans to visit them when you're home for winter break. There is nothing wrong with this, and you should still value the close friendship that you once had.
4. It was an unhealthy friendship
Just like any other relationship, sometimes your friendships become unhealthy. For whatever the reason maybe be: they are pressuring you into situations you're uncomfortable with, they are emotionally manipulative, or they are just treating you incredibly poorly. You have every right to put yourself first, no matter how long you had been friends with that person before. Putting yourself first is never something to be ashamed of, and you will be a stronger person for doing so.
