Do you delete the numbers of old friends you’ve fallen out with or don’t see yourself speaking to again?

[MerryPinkCritic]

I’ve been going through my contacts and realised how many people I no longer speak to - friends I’ve drifted from, people I’ve fallen out with or those I just know deep down I’ll never reconnect with. Part of me thinks, why keep their number? It’s not like we’re in touch and it feels a bit weird having all these digital ghosts in my phone. But the other part wonders if it’s petty or final to delete them. What if we reconnect someday? What if it’s just part of life to have a trail of past people?

So do you delete old contacts or keep them out of sentiment, habit or just in case?

If it’s been approx 5 years since any contact and it’s apparent neither one of us for whatever reason wants to put effort into maintaining the friendship then I’ll delete with no qualms.

I do delete numbers - something about a cleanse xx

I don’t think I’ve ever deleted a number. I’ve blocked plenty! But that’s when I don’t want to hear from them.
One person told me they’ve deleted my number but I know that was designed to cause upset. But it didn’t work.
I see no reason to spend my time sorting phone contacts.

I have never fallen out with a friend, so not an issue there.

I did recently delete school mums from back in the day when everyone shared their numbers before the holidays. I haven’t seen some of them for years.

I’m struggling to think of anyone I’ve fallen out with. The only people I delete tend to be colleagues from old jobs I don’t stay in touch with, or windowcleaners from a country I no longer live in, stuff like that.

What would it matter? If I haven't heard from someone for say a year, why would I want or need to text them or speak to them agai? If someone I used to know really need to find me for some reason, they would know what social media I have and could try there. I don't block people.

I meant that the people calling you are old friends but you don't know the numbers because you've deleted them

We're all different but it seems weird to me that you wouldn't want to speak to someone simply because you hadn't heard from them for a year, I can't imagine having a friend cut off. In my life catching up with a friend you've lost touch with is a nice thing to do

I’ve never fallen out with anyone as an adult but I do have a number of friendships that have drifted over time.

I don’t delete their numbers.

Recently someone from a previous friendship group got in touch with us regarding a funeral for a mutual old friend - we were pleased they were still able to reach out to us.

I've done that too got intouch with an old friend to let them know a mutual old friend had passed away.

Old friend is still in my phone.

Just an act of tidying up, really.If you actually have fallen out with people clear it all out then you won't think of them when you scroll through.

I delete old work contacts from years ago, or acquaintances from expired common interests, eg so-and-so's mum from a hobby my DD no longer does. I've never fallen out with a friend seriously enough to consider deleting their number, and I do keep numbers of friends I just haven't spoken to in a while.