Is It Time to End That Friendship?

If she's gone from trustworthy to toxic, it might be time to call it quits on your bestie bond. Here's when (and, eek, how) to do it.

- By Katherine Hammer and Lena Genovese

She's your soul sister: You crack each other up during classes, can exchange an entire conversation with a single look and spill your deepest secrets over FaceTime chats that last all night.

But lately, something hasn't felt right. She's giving you the silent treatment over a tiny tiff, seemingly skipping your sleepovers or barraging you with her crush drama in convos that feel increasingly one-sided.

You don't know that you want to lose her forever-but you don't want to lose yourself in this friendship, either. If you're struggling to keep the bestie ship afloat, it might be time to change course. Here's where to begin...

SPOT THE RED FLAGS

Let's be clear, it's perfectly OK for someone to have an off day (like when she was beyond stressed about school and had to miss cheering you on at regionals). But consistent patterns (like talking behind your back, making you feel guilty for prioritizing yourself or always pulling you into never-ending drama) can signify larger problems in your relationship.

"If a friendship is negatively influencing your life, it might be a reason to end it," notes therapist Lena Suarez-Angelino. Do you get pangs of anxiety wondering if she'll invite you to her birthday party? Does it seem like she doesn't celebrate your successes? Do you feel like you can't be your authentic self around her? Start backing away from the friendship by saying no to a study sesh or grabbing lunch with your choir crew instead.