To wonder if long breaks in friendship can ever really heal?

[ThatLuckyJadePoster]

What’s the longest break you’ve ever had from a friend and did you ever reconnect? I’m not talking drifting apart naturally - I mean a real fallout or a major silence and then somehow finding your way back. AIBU to hope that time can really soften things, even after months or years?

It depends on the reason I suppose, and whether an apology is made or the original cause is resolved enough that both can move on. I think the time line matters- a month is very different to a decade. I’ve never known it tbh, not get back things back where they were, especially after years where the story of what happens tends to solidify into fact on both sides. Perhaps to get to polite civility but not anywhere near the relationship before.

Well it would depend on those involved but I presume that for many, myself included, it would be difficult to get past this.
I wouldn’t regain that trust which is required to have a deeper friendship. I could be friendly and kind, but I wouldn’t share my thoughts and feelings.

if you’re really, really lucky, then yes.

I lived with my friend for a few years and we were exceptionally close. A few months after moving out (I bought my own home) I made a remark that really upset her and she couldn’t move past it, despite my apologies. I respected her decision but heavily grieved the loss of the friendship.

A year or so later, she reached out and we became friends again. We’d missed each other a lot and decided that the fall out wasn’t worth losing a friendship over. We’re not as close as we were (just due to the fact that life circumstances have changed) but we have a great time when we get together and I know that we really care for each other.

Friendship break ups can be just as bad (if not worse) as romantic break ups so lick your wounds and then try to move on. Assume they’re not coming back but let them know that the door is open x

Hi yes one positive got back on track. We do coffees now (drink and arguments a factor). 3 us. Prob 8 year gap there. Its good now
A second friend no have no longing to sort it. She went through a tough time but her texts were horrible so no. Def a side of her I dont like.

No this doesn’t happen in my experience. A long period of estrangement is impossible to fully come back from. You might get on ok