‘How strange is it, that after all that, we are strangers again?’ the other day when I going through Wikipedia page of Australian Novelist and Poet Lang Leav (I am a sucker for Authoresses) and the search led me to this quote of hers. I was struck by how true it is. Sometimes, we start as strangers become good friends and end up as strangers. Be it a BFF or gang of friends, when the bond of friendship starts thinning or breaks once for all, pain experienced is not often talked about. Hear me, it is not impossible to deal with. These are a few how-to cope-up moves.

Understand that you are dealing with a different person now: Chances are you do not have anything in common, during this phase. Maybe you drifted apart, priorities have changed. A reality check is needed at this time to see if they have become a person who you don’t agree to be friends with. This change may be gradual, hence its unnoticeable. If your conclusion is ‘yes.’ It is not worth going after and trying to revive the friendship.

Grieve but don’t look for closure: Without the process of grieving in place you will be left distressed. Grieving provides closure by itself. Closure from the other person is not always obtained. Don’t ask for closure at the cost of your self-respect. Over time I have seen myself learning a fact that pining over closure from a person who refuses to give, is not worth it.

Learn a lesson: Ask yourself what went wrong and assess. There will be one lesson or many lessons coming forth. Never forget them. Do not put yourself down for what happened also never regret looking back at your past. If not for these experiences there would never be this new version of you.

Keep memories in heart but always move on: Do not go hating the person. The fact that formerly you shared a beautiful connection remains true. I am sure you have heard this undeniable saying umpteen times before: ‘forgive, not because they deserve it but for your peace of mind.’ I cannot stress enough the impact of this saying on me in this process of healing. I saw that once scars are healed, moving on seems effortless.