8 Major Friendship Missteps

1. Lack of contact. This can present in a number of different ways. Perhaps your friend stops responding to your messages. Or she no longer initiates contact as she used to. Or maybe you have stopped commenting on your friend's social media posts in the way and with the frequency that was typical.
2. Exclusion. You used to be invited to get-togethers but your friend seems to be excluding you.
3. Unsolicited and surprising feedback and criticism. Your friend is really excited about a new item that she treated herself to. She shows it to you. She does not ask you what you think about it but you nonetheless point out how it is too expensive and unattractive. After all, you like to be honest. Think again. In a situation like this, it is prudent to engage in a bit of self-control.
4. Gossiping. When a friend shares very confidential information, he is trusting you. Keep it to yourself. Otherwise, trust deteriorates and so does your reputation and friendship.
5. Lack of reciprocity. It becomes very tedious to be in conversation with a friend who steals the conversation at every turn. This eventually becomes frustrating and boring.
6. Inability to match emotion. You may be trying to celebrate a small or even a large success or accomplishment and your friend closes up and becomes unusually quiet. You feel a very real energy shift. You have likely tapped into envy. That is a disappointment and a shame.
7. Lack of curiosity or follow-up. You might be so involved in your own life and forget to follow up on significant events in a friend's life. In friendships, it is important to follow the threads of conversation and to remain curious.
8. Cancellations. Yes. Sometimes cancellations are inevitable. On the other hand, they may indicate that you found something better to do or that the plan wasn't really ever that important. Be thoughtful.

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Reflection:

What other missteps can you add to this list?

#Frienship #Communication #MentalHealth

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