To feel like I’m 13 again feeling excluded?

[ScullyD]

I decided to go back to uni as a mature student last year. I won’t go into detail in case of recognition but it’s something where at the end of it I hoped I might meet like minded people to set up a company with if I was lucky.

I met lots of people I get on with casually, but two in particular I hit it off with, Robin and Kay. We became close friends. A few months ago we had a group assessment and Robin asked me to work with her, Kay and 3 other women were friends with. We were all aligned on our pitch and got a high mark, and said we should make the idea a reality after graduation.

Now it turns out Kay and Robin have launched their own company doing exactly what I hoped and I’m gutted. Other people on the course sent lots of good luck etc messages to the group chat we’re on when they announced it and I noticed that none of the other women from the original assessment said anything either. So I’m assuming they also feel left out.

AIBU to question whether I want to remain close after this? Am I being pathetic? Maybe I’m being petty but it’s showed me we’re not that close and would’ve loved to be part of it. Unless I’m prepared to support them while being upset and leaving my pride out of it…

I’ve now found out their latest venture is quite different from what we worked on, same ethos but different story.

in any case they’re all proudly promoting the venture as a foursome now on social media so I’ve just muted them all. I still can’t believe their insensitivity but I’m focusing on other friendships and making my own plans.

its a two way street isn’t it? They’re not including me now but that means I won’t include them in future successes either - which I hope to have!

It's good you have confirmation that they haven't ripped off your ideas, but I can absolutely see why it would sting to see the four of them promoting themselves over SM. Have you seen Robin or Kay in the flesh since?

And yes, take enormous satisfaction from knowing that when you eclipse them, they'll regret freezing you out!

No I haven’t. When I last saw Robin she asked when she could see me again but since I messaged back over a month ago it’s been crickets. I’ve seen again on socials they’ve been meeting up though.

it still hurts but I’m just trying my best to pour myself into my own work and also making new connections in the industry separate to them. It’s all I can do!

@ScullyD at least this way you can go ahead with your own idea. It sounds like they were a bit intimidated by you to be honest. I know lots of people who, when interviewing someone, feel threatened enough to not necessarily pick the best person. Might be something similar here.