To ask if you would just let this go now?

[LemonSherbetFancy]

Friend is having a particularly rough time. I wasn't in touch for a long time over last year but was very caught up in work, homeschooling and the anxiety of everything. In a call she explained what was going on with her but didn't seem to want to talk. She now has ignored a few texts. Do I just accept she no longer wants to have any communication with me? I didn't know that she was having a really rough time until recently.

Give her space but check in with her occasionally and be there when she needs it. No need to dump her just cos she hasn’t replied to a few messages - she’s told you why

I think I'd try to call and ask specifically how she is at the moment.

Send one last message. In it tell her that you value your friendship with her and that you hope she's ok...that you've been too busy and didn't realise she was having a hard time and that you'd be sorry to lose the friendship but that you do understand if she's not got time for it any more.

Then wait. If no response, shelve it. It's sad but it happens.

It’s possible she wanted to initially unload but found it too hard to go into more detail without getting upset or overwhelmed. Maybe you could give her space but drop her a text explaining you hadn’t realised how difficult things were for her at the moment, you’re there for her if she wants to talk but equally understand if she needs some space but leave it there - and maybe check in later this week or early next.

I have a similar situation. Friend in a bad place but also not treated me very nicely and has started ghosting me. I sent the occasional 'hope everything's ok' message as I appreciate the fact she's struggling, and don't want her to be alone however I don't expect our friendship to go back to how it was.

Yeah it was weird as she told me in a text then went quiet after my reply.