Letting go of friendships you no longer align with

It is said that we become the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with. The average in terms of aspiration, income, kindness, fun, values and vision.

As we grow, if our circle are not growing too, sometimes friendships fizzle out. It can be really hard. It can feel like a waste to let go of a friendship you have had for years. But it is OK that some friendships come into our lives for a specific season, rather than being evergreen.

I like to remind myself, that we are yet to meet some of the amazing people we will call friends.

If a friendship fizzles out, It doesn’t have to be anyone’s fault.

But when we hold onto a friendship we have out-grown, it’s easy to become frustrated and resentful, when your expectation of that friendship doesn’t meet the reality of where they are at.

There doesn’t have to be a big confrontation or hard conversation. Sometimes it’s OK just to let it go, and have gratitude for what you gained from the time you spent together.

Signs that a friendship may be coming to an end:

• Feeling like you can’t be your true self around them. Are you returning to old habits or patterns?
• You no longer feel aligned when with that person. You have different values, standards or beliefs.
• Not feeling excited to make plans with that person, and when you do see them, you feel drained rather than energised.
• You find yourself comparing the way you feel with them, to the way you feel with others.
• You can’t share your success with them.

Focus of the week

Reflect on whether there is a friendship you know you need to let go of.