Clinical psychologist Dr. Julie shared this insight on the Great Company podcast with Jamie Laing.
A physiologist has highlighted a few ‘subtle’ signs that could make you reconsider certain friendships.
Friendship means different things to different people, but one thing is clear, it evolves as you grow older.
As an adult, staying in touch with every friend from primary school, secondary school, university, and beyond is often unrealistic. People drift apart, move away, or sometimes, simply turn into someone you no longer connect with.
But when it comes to knowing which friendships to let go of, Dr. Julie has shared key signs to watch for.
Signs It’s Time to End a Friendship
In a recent episode of the Great Company podcast with Jamie Laing, clinical psychologist Dr. Julie shared her thoughts, saying:
“I think it comes with a lot of guilt, doesn’t it? Because we grew up with this idea that ‘friends are forever.’ Hollywood plays a big role in reinforcing these stories of lifelong friendships that endure no matter what.”
“Those friendships do exist, but others naturally come and go, and that’s okay too. As you grow older, your values may change, or theirs might, and the friendship may no longer feel like the right fit.
It’s okay to step away if a friendship becomes unhealthy or if someone is causing you harm. If it’s no longer working for you, it’s perfectly fine to pull back.”
How to End a Friendship
Ending a friendship can, in some ways, feel even harder than breaking up with a partner.
Realizing a romantic relationship isn’t working after a few months is one thing, but outgrowing someone you once shared childhood memories with, like kicking a ball around the playground is a different kind of loss.
Dr. Julie explained, “I guess it depends on the friend, the situation, and the connection you have. Some endings are big and emotional, requiring a difficult conversation, while others fade naturally because you were simply in the same place at the same time.”
She added, “Not every friendship needs a dramatic breakup, sometimes, you can just drift apart without a big discussion about what went wrong. It really depends on the situation.”
