Dealing with Disappointment
The unfortunate side of friendships that rarely gets talked about is when we lose them.
Sadly, not all friendships last forever.
Whether it’s due to a disagreement, someone moves away, or life events cause a change, some friendships end.
Losing a friend can cause a lot of different emotions: disappointment, sadness, anger, etc.
How do we deal with the disappointment of losing a friend?
Recently, on Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast, we spent some time talking about friendships: how to keep them, how to make them stronger, and what to do when we are disappointed by them.
Below I have listed a few key points to remember if and when you find yourself experiencing friendship disappointment.
Allow yourself time to feel
Relationships connect us to others and when that connection is severed, it’s ok to feel sad or upset. Be sure to give yourself the time you need to validate and experience your emotions.
Learn to let go
We may never learn the reasons why a friendship ended. It’s important to learn to let go of the “why’s” to allow the healing process to begin.
Revive your self-worth
When relationships are going well, it is easy to tie your self-worth to a friendship where you are often uplifted. When the friendship ends, it can be easy to feel unloveable.
It’s important to remember that your worth comes from you alone, regardless of the friends you have.
The most important thing to remember when a friend disappoints you is that, in time, things will get better. Don’t let a negative experience keep you from being open to creating new friendships that are right for you.
Thank you for your time and attention,
-Nikki
