While adults might be scared to leave old friends and find new ones, a psychotherapist has reminded people, “when the traffic is one-way, let it go”.
Clinical psychotherapist and Tough Love Co-host Stephanie Regan said sometimes people can “overvalue” their current friendships.
“You don’t see the naturalness of the way friends can pass out of your life and how you can outgrow them,” she told The Pat Kenny Show.
“People sometimes get into a kind of a bad habit of holding on when maybe it's more natural to let that person just step back.”
Among the many ways friendships can fade away, Ms Regan said people getting married and becoming parents is a natural and fair reason.
“Your worlds don't meet as easily anymore because you need to be at home with kids,” she said.
“People naturally step away from each other in that way.”
Single friends
However, Ms Regan said friendships are still important and, if it’s healthy, people should find a “balance” between their family life and their single friends.
“It's important to have somebody that you can confide in, somebody who sees you for who you are,” she said.
“But at the same, not to the detriment of your home life... you also have to acknowledge that sometimes it becomes too difficult to keep that friendship going.”
Childhood friends
Childhood friends, according to Ms Regan, are often the hardest friendships to let go of, even when it’s for the best.
“A lady the other day said to me, ‘You don't make so many friends as you get older, so I really value my school friends’,” she explained.
“I don't think that's correct... you make wonderful friends as you become an adult and become older.
“They're seeing you for who you are now, not through the prism of childhood.”
'Friendship should be mutual'
Overall, there is an easy way to know when it’s time to reevaluate your friends with certain people, according to Ms Regan.
“Friendship should be mutual,” she said.
“If you have a friendship that's leaving you feeling a bit drained... when the traffic is one way, let it go.
“When you feel bad after meeting up, let it go.”
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