These days it isn’t easy to find friends who will stick to you through thick and thin and most of the time, friendships are cut short for a variety of reasons. One of which is that when your friends start to be so influential with your life that it has become impossible to turn down their requests. Apart from that, when that friendship has started to deny you the freedom to be with other people and make friends and or connections with others. The fact is friendships shouldn’t be exclusive because that is only reserved for teenagers who still listen to Britney Spears. Moreover, people change all the time and it is not surprising that you and your friends reach a point that you’re no longer compatible. The point of this post is that you shouldn’t part ways with badly bruised egos and dignity that has been broken to pieces, and here is how to do it.
1.Hold your Guard Up
Make mental notes of the reasons why you want to end the friendship once and for all. Make your arguments as logical as possible so that there are no leaks that can be used against you. When there comes a time that you have to inevitably talk to that person of why you want to end the friendship, there’s no way that he or she can argue against it.
2.Avoid at All Costs
Ending a friendship means ending communication or sending a message in every form conceivable. Establishing a link only encourages the other party and that is exactly what you are trying to prevent.
3.Never Accept Offers
Ending a friendship means that you stop all hopes of a possible reconciliation. That means you will not accept the other party’s invitations or help that can make you change your mind about the decision. When you turn them down, don’t feel bad for not making any explanation. The point that you are trying to show is that “hey dude, here’s my decision and I know what the consequences are”.
4. Minimize Distance
When you want to end a friendship in the workplace, it’s a lot more complicated than in other cases. In the office you still have to see the other party everyday and in some instances you still have to interact with them. If you are in this situation, treat the other party with utmost professionalism. You may not like them but you still have to work with them right? Don’t be rude unless they start bullying you or destroying your dignity. When you get hit below the belt, never roll with the punches. Know how and when to fight without looking like a guy in amuck.
5.Make Other People Aware
When the falling-out phase is truly underway let other people know that you’re no longer interested with the opposite party. If you have to attend an occasion with these people, make sure that you minimize the contact and show them that their presence is nothing to you anymore. Also when it comes to social networking websites, limit their access to your profile or delete them from your “friends” list if necessary. Finally, never drag other people in the fracas. This is your problem so make sure that it stays yours.
Ending a friendship is sometimes a messy and even a bitter affair. Play your cards well and make sure that you don’t regret the consequences. Send your message across by showing them that you don’t like the way they do things. Initially, the falling-out process is difficult to admit for the other party because it smashes their ego into pieces. They would resort to dirty tactics and when that happens, learn how to respond and defend yourself.
