How to Know When to End a Friendship

Ending a friendship is not an easy thing to do. Despite any bad blood pact between you, there is no underlying bond from the times you'd spent together. It's hard to know when to end the friendship. There are times when it is necessary, though.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Look for lies. When you notice that a friend lies to you repeatedly, it's probably time to end a friendship. Little white lies may be OK, but they can also indicate that your friend is covering up something bigger.
2. End a friendship when your friend puts you or your family in danger. No matter how much you care for your friend, your family should always come first. If your friend is putting your family's safety at risk, she is probably not the good friend you once considered her.
3. Note when you hear from your friend. You know it's time to end a friendship when a friend only calls during a crisis. You aren't a counselor and you shouldn't be used strictly for crisis intervention. If the good times are in the past and you're only acting as a shoulder to cry on in his times of need, it's time for a change.
4. Analyze your communications. Some people talk more than the others, but if your so-called friend monopolizes conversation every time you're together, she might not be that into you. If she never asks about you and relies on you for feedback on her situation all the time, it may be time to end the friendship.
5. Consider the balance of the relationship. Friendship is about give-and-take. A friend who is completely self-centered and never takes the time to ask about you or do anything for you is not really a friend.

Tips & Warnings

• It's probably time to end the relationship if you don't feel that your friendship is being reciprocated.
• Let your friend down easy by spending less time with her and avoiding her calls.
• Don't upset your friend and burn your bridges.