Welcome back to another installation of The Navigator’s advice column! This week we have chosen a question that is a very common struggle among teenagers.

If you have a question for the crystal ball, enter it here!

Dear Crystal Ball, 

How would you tell one of your friends for a long time, that you don’t want to be friends with them anymore?

This can be a tough situation to be in for sure; above all else, you want to make sure that you are putting your well-being as a priority. For whatever the reason may be that you are considering discontinuing your friendship with this person, remember that while your feelings are completely valid, theirs are too. It is important to have this empathy for them in your delivery of the news because it can be hard to hear that someone you have been friends with for a significant amount of time wants to end your friendship. 

The truth is, some people do just grow apart and that does not have to mean there is any sort of “bad-blood”, but rather, you have just outgrown each other. Of course, what to say varies from situation to situation, but generally be sure to include: addressing the problem with care and consideration, go about this in a way that you would find comforting if it were happening to you, in other words, do not be hostile. If this is a problem that has not caused objective irreparable damage, then possibly be open to giving this person the opportunity to mend the friendship and apologize for their wrong-doings. Communicate your feelings.  If you feel that continuing this friendship is weighing on you mentally, then it is only healthy to end it; it can be therapeutic for you to let out what has been burdening you and it can offer the other person some clarity on the situation so they are not left with questions. With each friendship and situation comes different complexities, so there may be topics that you personally want to touch on with them, but this is a general starting approach to ceasing your relationship.