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How can I accept that my best friend is gone?

21 Answers
Last Updated: 03/15/2022 at 3:55am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Andrea Tuck, LCPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

I tackle and discuss a multitude of social and emotional health issues. I have a belief that through empowerment and non-judgmental support clients' can thrive.

Top Rated Answers
Erynn
November 21st, 2014 4:55am
Time will help. But a supportive community will help a lot too. Counseling may help. Expressing yourself in writing, art, music, dance... any way you feel comfortable. Let yourself cry. Allow it to take time. Give yourself comfort and self-soothe. Allow yourself to be angry sometimes. It's going to be really hard, i'm sure it IS really hard. Seek out others when you need comfort, company, and/or to talk. Hang in there. It WILL get better. There is no magical cure, but time and continually working to accept, understand, and validate your emotions may be helpful.
leahlistens2
February 15th, 2016 8:22pm
Losing a best friend can sometimes be harder than losing a family member. Focus on the positive that came from the friendship. When looking at what could have been, makes the pain worst. Try letting go of regrets that maybe associated with that friendship as well.
SreeTheCat
November 21st, 2014 6:36am
They do not travel alone. A piece of your heart goes with them. I lost a dear friend recently. When you lose a person you love, it feels like starting a whole new life again. Their death / leaving gives you a reason to start life anew. Celebrate life, don't mourn those who are gone. What is important is you are here. You can feel the sun shining on your face, you can savor the taste of a warm cup of coffee on a chilly winter morning, you can smile at the kids playing in the park - what more do we need, in this life. :)
MissLuthien
July 24th, 2017 2:15pm
Losing someone we're close to is always horrible. Especially when they are young, it is going to take time to get over, but unfortunately when someone dies we have to accept it because there is nothing we can do to change it. We can do things in their honour, dedicate our achievements to them, and keep connections with their families to keep in touch with them. I found writing letters about things we would talk about helped me.
walkingpresent
April 7th, 2020 1:57am
Whether they are gone physically or mentally, its better to know that "change" is what governs the world around us. Everything changes, have been, and will be. Even as I'm writing this now, some things outside our view is changing rapidly and we will notice it with utter disbelief when we never paid attention to some things that changed. Yes your best friend may be gone from your life, but that also proves that your own life is marching forward with this change. As nothing is little matter when it comes to change. Yes it is hard to accept it, sometimes even too hard. But that is exactly the price for you to move forward to something with equal, or even greater value. Because essentially the world balanced itself, you may feel grief and sadness right now, later it will be compensated with joy and happiness.
Anonymous
September 5th, 2016 10:58am
Firstly, I'm sorry about your best friend. You can start accepting "nothing last forever" theory. Don't blame someon. It's not anyone's fault. You can search for a new best friend too.
royalRose96
June 14th, 2016 11:25pm
Accepting things is a huge part of human nature something which we have to do a lot and although we may not want to sometimes its the best option.
Anonymous
March 15th, 2022 3:55am
Accepting that a best friend is gone, is hard and very challenging. It might help if one has anticipated the loss for a time and prepare for grieving. According the Kubler Ross, going through the mental stages of grieving would help accept the loss. There are 5 stages; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. These are a part of the framework that makes up our learning to live without the one we lost. They are tools to help us frame and identify what we may be feeling and accept the loss and make take some time. We are then able to move on with life. I hope you'll be able to deal with your loss.
Anonymous
November 21st, 2020 11:57pm
In my own experience; It’s Sad 😞 and makes you depressed😭. Replacing your original best buddy is very difficult, I suggest you try not to get any other best buddies until you have let your feelings spill out and you are at peace. ✌️I can no longer just see my best friend. This broke me for at least 6 months it was sad 😭😞 Try sleep more, eat healthy and do regular exercise. Try not to think of the past and move on with life keeping yourself busy, play board games, table tennis and etc... This will help ! Lastly keep yourself busy and occupied all the time! Good luck and god bless hope you find peace ✌️
HelpingBubble
August 26th, 2019 11:47am
Part of acceptance is moving on. Moving on with the knowledge that your best friend is gone. You don't have to forget them, or ignore them- you just have to come to a stage where you recognise their absence and just... live with it. I know it probably sounds really vague and superficial. i'm not saying it's easy. i'm not saying that acceptance comes by fast. it takes time and time is painful. it's hard to get over someone who has been close to you all your life but you can't get on with your own life until you have finally acknowledged that they are gone and never coming back.
Anonymous
May 29th, 2018 7:13pm
I'm not sure what you mean by gone so I'll assume. You two being best friends, I'm sure you both had plenty of good times together. Unfortunately, some things happen in life and things like this happen. It's ok to be sad that they're gone, but you have to realize as them being your best friend, that they wouldn't want you to be sad all the time thinking about them. They wanted to have a good time when they were there with you, and I'm sure they would want you to have a good time with them not there as well.
Anonymous
September 19th, 2016 8:09pm
Accepting the loss of someone near and dear to you is a hard obstacle to overcome. When we realize that this is simply a part of life, that the world keeps spinning and the days go on, we can start to begin the healing and acceptance process.
Anonymous
July 26th, 2016 8:13am
You can accept a best friend is gone by realising that your friendship has ran its course or by realising that you are not right for each other at this moment in time.
Anonymous
March 14th, 2016 2:44am
You just need to find ways to cope and know even when she or he is not there they are always going to be by your side.
olimaar
October 26th, 2015 3:16pm
When I lost my dog (I understand that it may not be the same, but I felt just as depressed) I would take one hour of every day to remember him. Although at first it may make you feel worse, but after a while you begin to feel more at peace, and I felt more connected to my dog than ever. Use that hour for praying to him/her, maybe writing a song for them, or making something that will honor them.
Anonymous
May 10th, 2015 11:10pm
It will take time, most likely, and you will need to work on any negative lingering feelings you have and realise that you can be happy even after sad events.
shiningDay13
March 18th, 2015 8:45pm
Acceptance is the hardest stage of loss to go through, so understandably, it's going to take some time to fully be able to accept the fact. You can't really force yourself to feel certain feelings, especially when you're feeling quite the opposite. Acceptance will come slowly and naturally, be patient and be strong.
Anonymous
December 8th, 2014 4:49am
If you just aren't friends anymore, realize they are their own person and you can't hold them against free will. They probably weren't really your best friend and have faith you will meet that true best friend. If your best friend is deceased, my condolences and I'm sorry for your loss. They are in a better place now and watching over you as you read my answer.
Youniq
November 24th, 2014 2:35am
It is a hard question and situation to accept. With best friend gone you'll definately feel down and incomplete, and if that friend was the best to you, nothing can replace that hole. Just show some respect and gratitude for something that is missing, and never forget. Move on
Anonymous
November 23rd, 2014 12:32am
I'm sorry to hear that, but the process is slow. You won't wake up one day totally forgetting about her, you will remember her/him and feel pain. You have to start by doing new things, hanging out with new people and trying new things.
Anonymous
November 22nd, 2014 10:56am
The best way is to let it go. One should learn to move on for the better and it helps with time. We have got to accept things the way they are because that is what life is all about.