Should I end a friendship?
Most friendships do not end, they thin out — and the guilt comes from treating a slow fade as a failure. Decide whether you are ending it or just letting it become smaller.
What to actually weigh
Ending, or resizing?
Some friendships stop working at the size they are and work fine smaller. Not every relationship needs a verdict.
Is it the person or the season?
People are unreachable during grief, new babies, and hard years. Distance during one of those is not the same as distance without one.
What have you actually said?
Many friendships are ended over things the other person was never told. If the conversation has not happened, the friendship has not been tested yet.
Frequently asked
How do you know when a friendship is over?
When you feel worse after seeing them, consistently, and the honest conversation has already been tried. Before that, it is usually a problem rather than an ending.
Is it okay to end a friendship without an explanation?
It is common, and sometimes it is the only safe option. But if the person would be genuinely blindsided, the fade is usually more about your discomfort than their behaviour.