Breakups are never easy. Someone who played a significant role in your life is no longer going to be a part of it and that can be extremely scary. Normally, you would turn to your friends to rely on during this difficult time.

But, what if you need to break up with a friend?

I remember breaking up with my best friend in 7th grade. We had been best friends since kindergarten and had done practically everything together. Once middle school started, I found us growing apart.

While she was suddenly interested in boys and makeup, I was still intrigued with reading books and staying in to study. Over the summer, we went on vacation together, and although we had a lot of good times, we also fought constantly. We called each other out on characteristics that we hated and rehashed old arguments. By the end of the trip and the beginning of 8th grade, we were no longer talking.

This happened again in high school with a friend who was one-sided with our friendship. She would complain all day about the boys in her life, but once I tried to share some of my familial problems with her, she couldn’t care less. I realized that I needed somebody in my life who could support me through the good and the bad times.

Throughout your life, you will go through many emotional changes and you may find that the people who you once considered your closest allies no longer seem to have your back. (See also: Our guide to dealing with friendship changes in college.)

This is completely normal, and you should not feel bad if you need to reevaluate your relationships in order to grow as a person.

Table of Contents

How do you know when it’s time to break up?

1. Your friend is toxic

Do they encourage you to take place in uncomfortable situations? Do you find yourself changing to fit with your friends’ standards? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you may be in a toxic relationship with your friend.