Friend Breakups: Why They’re Worse Than Romantic Breakups

Friends are forever, right? Not always. As we get older, we fall out of touch with those we were once close to, and sometimes we even go through friend breakups. Friend breakups are different than romantic breakups, and they can hurt much worse, especially if your friend ghosted you.

At one point or another, we’re all bound to go through a friend breakup.

What’s a Friend Breakup?

A friend breakup is similar to a romantic breakup- it’s an abrupt end to a relationship. Unlike romantic relationships, though, friend breakups tend to be messier. When you end a relationship with a partner, it can be because of distance or because things “just aren’t working out.”

When it comes to friend breakups, however, there’s often a more precipitating severe event. An event that leads to feelings of betrayal, anger, emotional distress, or distrust. A bond has been broken by an action significant enough that it cannot be restored. And so, you and your friend “break up.”

You don’t talk anymore, don’t confide in each other, don’t make plans for the weekends. While you may maintain a level of civility if you run in the same circle, things aren’t what they used to be.

Why Do Friend Breakups Hurt More Than Romantic Breakups?

Part of the reason those friend breakups hurt so much more than romantic ones is what we mentioned in the opening line. There’s a general saying that “Men/women will come and go, but friends are here to stay.” Many people believe that friends are forever. In a perfect world, they would be.

We rely on our friends to get us through everything. Fights with our significant others, times when we’re struggling with our mental health, or if we’re having trouble at work. Often we trust our friends with more secrets and intimate details than we do anyone else in our lives.

When you go through a friend breakup, it can feel like a huge loss. And it is. You’ve lost something precious. But you can get through it.

How to Get Through a Friend Breakup

Just as you need time to heal when going through a romantic breakup, you’ll need to go through the same grieving process with a friend breakup.

Here’s how to get through it:

• Stay busy. Keep your mind off the breakup.
• Talk about it. Find someone you trust to voice your feelings and emotions.
• Evaluate your role. Did you play a part in the breakup? If so, acknowledge your wrongs.
• Make it a clean break. Let your former friend know you’re there if they want to talk (unless you’re severing a toxic relationship), but don’t continuously reach out to them.
• Don’t badmouth them to your other friends. As tempting as it might be, it’s never a good look.
• Accept it might be a good thing. Carefully examine the relationship. Was it genuinely positive, or did it bring toxicity to your life?

Romantic breakups are hard, and friend breakups can be even harder. It’s essential to focus on the fact that no matter what, you will be okay. Schedule a weekend of activities with other friends, maybe people you haven’t spent as much time with lately as you’d have liked.

Get back out there, start making new memories, and keep living your GR8EST life.