How to Heal After Ending a Friendship
The end of a friendship is always hard to deal with, no matter how long you've known the person. Not only have you lost companionship, but you may also have to face the fact that the other friend may be exceedingly confrontational if the ending of the bond was dramatic, which only makes things more painful. The key is to gain closure and move on with your life, all the while avoiding becoming scarred to the point where future friendships are adversely affected.
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Instructions
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Avoid beating yourself up emotionally. No matter who's at fault for the ending of the friendship, there's no point in dwelling on things. Simply learn from the experience and move on. This is easier said than done, of course, if the other party is hurling vitriol your way and being confrontational. The key is to accept the end and move on.
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Refrain from bad-mouthing the ex-friend, as nothing productive will be accomplished. This will needlessly drag things out, as the other friend may feel compelled to verbally retaliate. Plus, it only delays the healing process the longer you harbor animosity. Lastly, there's also the issue of looking bad in front of your existing friends, especially if they're mutual friends with the one you just parted ways with.
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Replace the void with something else in your life. New, long-term friends may take time to meet and develop, but you will see immediate dividends by getting out and socializing. Sign up for an activity that you love to do that involves other people. The most important thing is to avoid moping and withdrawing.
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Resolve to stay course and quickly make up your mind whether or not you are open to being friends with the person again. Granted, you may still respect her and wish her the best, but the fact remains that the friendship ended for a reason. Time has a tendency to heal old wounds, and it will be very tempting to reconcile if you so happen to cross paths with her at the grocery store and all seems well again. Trouble is, it could lead you back to another painful friendship ending down the road.
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References
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