How to Cope With Friends Who Turn Away

Being a well-liked part of a group makes you feel confident because you're included. But when your friends turn away and leave you standing alone, it's an empty feeling and a hard one to cope with. Unfortunately, this is often a cruel part of life. Learn how to handle it so you don't get depressed and turn it into a valuable lesson.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Talk to someone you trust like a family or church member. Let out your feelings of your friends turning away from you in a safe way. Being hurt or angry is normal, but it's how you handle it that really matters.
2. View it as a life lesson and try not to take it personally. People can be cruel and they will be. It's all about social ranking and head games. The important thing to know is that when someone treats you this way they weren't worthy of your friendship to begin with.
3. Have a good attitude and don't let them see you sweat or this will feed into their ego. When friends turn away and drop you like a hot potato, they'll expect you to get depressed, pout and be upset. Just smile and walk on by.
4. Begin talking to other people, and before you know it, you'll be making new friends who are hopefully more genuine.
5. Join groups outside of the so-called friends you once knew. Sign up for an athletic team, new interest or hobby and you'll meet a whole new gang to be around.
6. Cope with disappointments like this by focusing on what is really important in your life. Spend more time with the relationships you value and cherish. It will give new meaning to the word friendship.
7. Pray for them. If you are a religious person, or even if you're not, turning the other cheek is always an option. When someone treats you poorly do the opposite like pray for them and find forgiveness in your heart. This is more for you and your healing than for the other person.