This is also a good method to use if your friend never hits you up and instead waits for you to reach out first all the time.

Say something like, “I’m not sure if our friendship is working right now. I think I’d like to take a little break from the friendship, just to get my head on straight. Maybe we can talk again in a month or so. ”

You could say something like, “Hey, could we meet up and talk? I want to chat about some issues we’ve been having lately. I think our friendship is getting a little toxic, and it might be best for me to take some time for myself. ”

For instance, instead of saying, “You never text me first,” try, “I feel like I always reach out first, which makes me wonder if I’m as important to you as you are to me. ” Instead of saying, “You always use me for stuff,” say, “I only hear from you when you need something, which makes me feel a little bit used. ”

For instance, you might say, “Hey Diane, just reaching out to let you know why I haven’t been responding to you lately. I think our friendship is becoming a bit toxic, and I don’t think it’s good for us to keep hanging out. ”

If you don’t have a ton of photos, try writing down special memories in a notebook instead.

If your friend is going somewhere specific (like a new city or country), consider making that the party theme.

Planning a future trip or visit together can make the separation a lot more bearable. [10] X Expert Source Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSWPsychotherapist Expert Interview. 11 June 2020. Long-distance friendships take a little more work to maintain than normal ones, but they can definitely be done! Try to stay updated on each other’s lives while you’re not together. That way, you won’t grow apart from each other.

You might say something like, “Remember the time in college when we snuck into the library after dark? It was so much fun playing hide and seek in the stacks of shelves. I always had so much fun with you. ” If they’ve already passed, consider writing your feelings in a letter instead.

Some people have a hard time accepting help, so don’t be offended if your friend wants to keep being independent.

This is a good method to use if your friend can’t talk back to you.