Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Ending a Friendship

Ending a relationship is never easy. Even when the ending is by mutual consent, it still can leave you feeling raw and wounded. It is not uncommon after an individual has sustained a brain injury for the person to experience a shift in their friendships. Some grow and expand while others wane away and then fade away all together. While this isn’t fair, it is a reality. Here are some suggestions to consider if a friend has ended their relationship with you:
ü  It isn’t always about you. More often than not, the person leaves the relationship because THEY are unable to cope with the changes they see.
ü  It is extremely easy to take it personally, and if you are, it would be wise to discuss your feelings with a trusted friend or family member or professional.
ü  Ask for feedback – but you need to be ready for the answers when you ask the question. Am I socially inappropriate? Have my social skills changed since I was injured? What could I do differently?
ü  Significant changes in our life bring about transformation. As we transform, we may see changes on many levels: in our home, friends, and community connections.
ü  It’s important to not write yourself off!!! You are a worthwhile person and although your feelings may be hurt, there will be new friends who will come into your life. You need to prepare for that by having an open mind and heart, and do your very best to steer away from negative thinking.
ü  Remember… there are others like you who are experiencing the loss of companionship and they too, would like a new friend. Hold your chin up, smile, and do something nice for someone else today. You never know what rewards there may be.

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