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April 10, 2016 at 10:05 pm #101475ThoughtfullearningParticipant
Hi all,
I am interested in anyone’s opinion on my current friendship situation. I am torn about how I should handle a falling out that has resurfaced into a discussion on how to mend the friendship at large.
Background: best friends for 4 years or so, have been through a lot of trying times together though this is our first major falling out. She has been there for me a lot in the past and vice versa. We both have completely different backgrounds but it hasn’t mattered in the last 4 years things have started to shift in the last year or so but more notably in the last 6 months( mostly for me).
situation: Friend has had a boyfriend for the last year and half, friend has always had trouble choosing one guy but always is after someone. she finally found someone she wanted to be with but then cheated on him in the first 2 months. They stayed together and he doesn’t know, of course I was the one she confided in, I gave her my opinion but honestly stepped back because it is not my place to judge her or her relationship. She stayed faithful until about 3 months ago when she said she was loosing her feelings for him. They went on a break for a week and in that week she slept with an old guy of hers. She went back to the boyfriend again and fired up the relationship. Simultaneously she mentions conversations had with two other previous guys via texting, one of which she sends promiscuous photos too while in her relationship. She tells me all of this. She visits me (lives an hour away and visits 2x a month), and brings the boyfriend asking to stay last minute at my place even though I work all weekend, I see her for 5 hours the one night and thats it. I feel used for allowing her to stay and awkward that her boyfriend is along with her even though I know all of whats happened.
Fast forward and she has plans to go abroad for a year to study, she causally mentions all the foreign guys she cant wait to hook up with. I hold my tongue. she is planning on staying with a host family. I causally warn her to be careful about bringing guys back to the house because it might disrespect the family. she takes the text message differently and says “no, i still plan to have a long distance relationship with [current boyfriend]”. thats when I become real honest, real fast and tell her that I think she is being selfish and wrong to this guy- who mind you has been nothing but nice to her.
This all happens and i’ll let you know that since she has been in this relationship with this guys she can hardly respond to my texts or calls until she really needs to talk to me- and usually its about her boyfriend or her indiscretions.
we hadn’t talked since the argument because she left it saying if she wants my opinion she will ask for it. a couple days ago (4 weeks post fight) she writes me a long email about how she feels I crossed a boundary and how she has respected all my decisions and been there for me.
my problem is I don’t know how to respond even though i know what I want to say. What I want to say wont make her happy either. I know her relationships is none of my business nor do I need to express my opinion on it to her, but I have gotten to the point where I really disagree with her decisions and I am uncomfortable. I don’t need to voice my disagreeing opinions I just need her to stop telling me about all the things I am uncomfortable hearing about.
How do I go about tactfully explaining this to her, more opinions on the situation are welcomed. other perspectives are encouraged!
April 10, 2016 at 10:56 pm #101501AnonymousInactiveMy advice is to cut all ties with her for the simple fact that she cheats and is having 2 ongoing relationships with people, while the current boyfriend has no idea. That type of behavior is of a person/woman who doesn’t even respect herself or anybody else for that matter. A woman who behaves in this way, cheats, lies and then uses you so that she can stay at your apartment for the weekend, is definitely not a good person nor a good influence for you. You don’t need all this un-necessary drama. Pat yourself on the back for being a good person and a good friend during the time you’ve known her but cut your loses with her. Not worth it my friend. Have a wonderful evening! 🙂
Sending you lots of love, positivity and light your way.
Namaste…
M.
April 11, 2016 at 7:52 am #101512AnonymousGuestDear katie:
Can you describe the good times with that friend: what did she do in the past to earn the “best friend” title from you through a period of more than three years?
anita
April 11, 2016 at 1:37 pm #101558InkyParticipantHi Katie,
How about you text back, “You’ve been crossing boundaries with your BF and other guys for months, letting you know my two cents is nothing, girl!”
Then when she texts back don’t respond.
She will eventually want to crash at your place. When she goes to text you about it she will see that awkward exchange from before. Then if she has the cahones to call you and asks you to stay, just say, “No”. No explanation. Then just say, “I gotta go.”
She will get the hint and move on, OR she will learn not to take your friendship for granted. When she is ready to have a real conversation, tell her that this is what real friends do ~ they keep each other out of trouble, not condone bad behavior.
Good Luck!
Inky
April 12, 2016 at 10:38 am #101616ThoughtfullearningParticipantAnita,
Our friendship spans many bridges that we have both crossed together. She has been there for me in some of my darkest days, when I had family troubles and no one to turn to… she has always had her door wide open for me. there is a different side to this friendship, one of deep trust and commitment from both sides but naturally things happen outside of the friendship that we both cant always control. My bad eating habits her drinking habits… this relationship as gone a long way. one where my maturity is sometimes stronger then hers but I never really let that determine how I treated her, like my equal. as mentioned before she did write me a long email expressing her respect, devotion and misgivings but that I have no right to judge her. this is true, i am just at a crossroads in our friendship because i dont know whether to accept her as she is an that she wont change or move on. at the end of he day, women friendships are a powerful thing and ones you want to hang on to because sometimes they are the true essence of love in the world. Aren’t we suppose to love and forgive, accept and let go? isn’t this what this site is all about? not passing judgement on someones life that we don’t know about but instead stepping in their shoes and taking a walk. I am torn because I have so much love for her but my patients has worn thin over time for her indiscretions. Is it time to let go and move on or accept and pour love into this person?
how do I go about handling it?April 12, 2016 at 12:16 pm #101625AnonymousGuestDear katie:
You bring up excellent points. This is my answer to “how do I go about handling it?”
Communicate with her honestly. Tell her how you feel, your very feelings that you described here. Tell her calmly. Listen to her, and respond, and so on. Your judgment of her behavior, don’t stay alone with that judgment and the anger you feel. Share those things with her. Not in a blaming, attacking, condemning way, but with honesty and openness. She feels judgmental about you, angry at you herself, at times. She already expressed her anger that you are judging her…
So judgment goes both ways, we all judge each other at times. We all get angry at each other if we interact long enough.. Those times of judgment and anger are opportunities for greater communication not possible otherwise (if everything was smooth sailing).
This is an opportunity for the two of you to get deeper insight: she can get deeper insight into her motivations and behaviors and you can get deeper insight into yours.
Instead of running away, confront, kindly, openly.
At any one point you may decide to end the friendship, or she may. This is a right you have and at any one point it may be wise. But only after greater insight and understanding in your case, especially since there was so much good in the friendship.
There are some limits you can establish now, ASAP, so to respect yourself. You can tell her and see to it, that she does not stay in your place with her boyfriend. You can see to it that you don’t see her with a guy, that you see her one to one, only you and her. That way you do not place yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Always take care of yourself first.
So honest communication will be a wonderful opportunity in this friendship with its history of love and trust, an excellent opportunity for growth on both sides of the friendship. And set the limits you need to take care of yourself.
anita
April 12, 2016 at 1:38 pm #101639ThoughtfullearningParticipantAnita,
Thank you so much for putting all my feelings into words. I agree 100% with you about how I know should go about handling my situation and you bring up some key points about judgement and treating myself with respect first. Thank you so much, I now know what I need to say and don’t feel like I am stuck on my words so to speak.
Best,
K
April 12, 2016 at 2:50 pm #101647AnonymousGuestDear Katie:
It thrills me that I may have been helpful to you. You are very welcome, and please do post again if you’d like my input on this topic or any other.
anita
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