How do you know it's time to close the door on a friendship or relationship?
It's simple: You know the time is now when you couldn't care less about the person. Not only do you become completely indifferent to the individual, but you reason that your life would be better without him or her. You feel there would be more peace and less hostility if that person were given the boot.
Doing this isn't always the easy, especially when you've known the person for a long time. But let's face it -- legacy alone can't sustain a relationship through the passage of time. People and things change. A person you deemed your closest friend or soulmate 10 years ago could feel like a nuisance today. You know that's the case when you hear the person's voice or see they're calling you and you instantly roll your eyes.
I'm actually going through this as we speak with a friend I have known since high school. Long story short, this once-humble guy got a good job, bought a new car, and lost his virginity to a woman 10 years his senior. Consequently, it transformed him into one of the most self-absorbed people I've ever met. His humility was the quality I most admired him for; now the friendship finds itself on its last legs. I think it's all but dead. A couple of months ago, I was making every effort to keep our friendship alive and kicking. Now, apathy has set in, and I've come to the realization he brings little value to my life anymore.
I can accept a person changing somewhat over the years -- that's normal. But when one changes so radically that you feel they've become a completely different person, it just doesn't sit well with me. Once the person has exhausted all of my lifelines, I am ready to jettison him or her for good.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where constant arguments -- or a person changing completely -- have made you lose complete interest in a friendship or relationship?
Please share your thoughts. Remember, you can always check out prior posts by clicking here: How to Understand People
Here's a sampling of other great posts on the blog:
Here's how men and women view sex differently...
How much should we trust people?
It's simple: You know the time is now when you couldn't care less about the person. Not only do you become completely indifferent to the individual, but you reason that your life would be better without him or her. You feel there would be more peace and less hostility if that person were given the boot.
Doing this isn't always the easy, especially when you've known the person for a long time. But let's face it -- legacy alone can't sustain a relationship through the passage of time. People and things change. A person you deemed your closest friend or soulmate 10 years ago could feel like a nuisance today. You know that's the case when you hear the person's voice or see they're calling you and you instantly roll your eyes.
I'm actually going through this as we speak with a friend I have known since high school. Long story short, this once-humble guy got a good job, bought a new car, and lost his virginity to a woman 10 years his senior. Consequently, it transformed him into one of the most self-absorbed people I've ever met. His humility was the quality I most admired him for; now the friendship finds itself on its last legs. I think it's all but dead. A couple of months ago, I was making every effort to keep our friendship alive and kicking. Now, apathy has set in, and I've come to the realization he brings little value to my life anymore.
I can accept a person changing somewhat over the years -- that's normal. But when one changes so radically that you feel they've become a completely different person, it just doesn't sit well with me. Once the person has exhausted all of my lifelines, I am ready to jettison him or her for good.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where constant arguments -- or a person changing completely -- have made you lose complete interest in a friendship or relationship?
Please share your thoughts. Remember, you can always check out prior posts by clicking here: How to Understand People
Here's a sampling of other great posts on the blog:
Here's how men and women view sex differently...
How much should we trust people?
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