I have been friends with a group of women for over 7 years. Every time I meet up with them I walk away feeling horrible about myself. They often arrange meet ups, dinners and drinks. If I'm not able to go, I get criticism for my lack of commitment to the friendship. "Why won't I make more effort". There is one woman in the group who is particularly aggressive and scathing to me. However when I do go out with them I can sit with them for an entire dinner and be barely acknowledged. I also recently found out they had been criticising me behind my back to a mutual friend.
I have put up with this for a while, trying to not take it personally. However recently I've had a few very difficult circumstances in my life and it has become clear to me that they are not remotely interested in me or my well being. I don't feel their behaviour is malicious towards me, more just really selfish. The one sidedness of it all has really got me down, particularly during this difficult time of my life.
I am in two minds, one to keep turning up to their catch ups and to try and find a way of dismissing their behaviour.
Or, to try and phase out the friendship. I have had very few fall outs in my life and dread an onslaught of criticism and bitching from the group particularly when I have other, very difficult circumstances in my life.
Has anyone gently phased out of a friendship? If so, how on earth do I do it without a falling out? Or should I just stick with it for an easy life? Even though I feel it's affecting my self esteem.?
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If to and how to end a friendship
10 replies
Sunshineandwaves · 17/06/2016 04:38
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