How do I handle this (ex-friend related)

[MargotThreadbetter]

A very old friend of mine got in touch recently. We were once very close, but she moved away, and our lives took different turns so we drifted apart.
She now lives a good distance from me, and has had some hard times, but is now happily married with a good life.
My point is that I'm a lone working parent, my life is so busy that I barely have time for my close friends now as it is! I already have friends who live some distance from me and struggle to see them so adding someone else just seems crazy.
She's a good person, and she's been lovely in her messages but I feel like I can't be bothered if I'm honest - I've already got far too much going on in my life. I feel quite stressed about it because I don't know how to handle this at all!
Please advise!

Just leave the messages, reply when you have a moment or not if you don't. She'll let it go when you don't respond.

Why are you stressed? What is there to handle?

Just be honest and say what you're saying here, OP. If it's just that your life is too hectic for meet ups and socialising, just say so, she'll understand. Now, if there's some resentment towards your ex friend because of other reasons, just cut contact altogether. The worst you can do is give the impression that it's all ok, when in your heart, you know you don't want to be friends anymore.

I'd reply with something along the lines of...

"Glad to hear all is well and good with you. Sorry for the brief reply, my life is crazy busy, working hard, running the kids to various activities, etc, you know how it is. Anyway, nice to hear from you, take care, bye".

Just a short and sweet reply with no mention of keeping in touch or meeting up and she should hopefully get the hint.

Stay vague, put her on your Christmas card list, and leave it at that!

No need to stress about it, just tell her you're really busy at the moment. You may find a new level of friendship with her, occasional emails/texts and phone calls, and maybe seeing her very rarely, maybe once a year or so.

If she gets pushy about it, just say 'sorry I can't, I just have too much on my plate.'

It's a message from a friend, not a proposal, don't get the issue at all

Respond 'Good to hear! Hope you are all well'.