What do I do when I feel as though my friendships aren't as good as they used to be?
341975
Well, what I do when my friends do this to me, I let them know it. My ULTIMATE best friend in the world has done this to me, many times. Basically, all I do is tell her that I'm kind of upset how we seem like we are drifting apart, then I comfort her by saying that if something is bugging her she can tell me. You have to be the one  to do something, she won't realize that she is hurting you. I wish you the best of luck.
33449
If you don't feel that you can be honest with them about how you feel, I think you should find other activities to do, getting too busy to support your friendship. Friendships will dry up, if you don't water them regularly with visits, phone calls and notes. If you are too busy to fit her into your schedule, she'll either ask you up front what's up or she'll slowly move on to someone else. If she asks, that's your cue to be honest, even though it might hurt. Without knowing how she "makes" you feel bad, it's hard to know if you're not bringing on some of this treatment yourself, actually encouraging her that it's ok to treat you this way. Some people think it's better to have a "bad" friend than no friend at all. If she is truly a "toxic" friend, move on to more positive people. In time, she'll fade away. I would rather that she knows exactly what's causing you to not want to be around her. Maybe she doesn't have a clue that she's treating you badly. Maybe she does this to everyone. If not, you have to ask yourself why you? Letting her know will give her the option of changing...or not. If you have body odor, and everyone avoids you, not wanting to be around you, wouldn't you want to be told? You might think everyone hates you or maybe doesn't like your clothes or something. No one has the right to treat you badly. You give them that right. You can take it away. <*)))><
157655
Stop calling them your 'old friends' and begin refering to them as what they actually are?\n\nNah, that'd be rude, and you don't want to be that way too, do you?\n\nTough situation, kid. Perhaps they just weren't really good friends to begin with, and you'll just need to cut your losses now and develop meaningful, healthy relationships with your new peers.
1171172
Well, I've been away from my 5 best friends for about 2 (almost 3) years &, so far, it's one of the hardest things I've ever had to do...\n\nI left my home country (Cape Verde) to come live in the US...& the day I left was the saddest day of my life...It felt (& still does) like I lost a huge chunk of my own self...\n\nMy best friends & I have known each other since we were about 3 years old (which means that we've known each other for about 14 years now) & always lived in the same street...we used to do EVERYTHING together...wherever you saw one of us you'd be sure to see the other 5...we had the most beautiful relationship (we went on field trips almost every weekend; we used to throw lots of parties; we used to go to each other's family's beach houses regularly, etc.) , but since I moved, things have changed a lot!!!!\n\nAlthough we keep in touch with each other, it's just not the same...I feel sad all the time because now I have no friends (nearby) and spend my days either @ work, @ school and/or @ home (which is totally not me)\n\nI used to be really active, but now I really don't do much (just so you have an idea, I've never been to the movies nor to the beach here in the US, & things that I once enjoyed are just not as fun as they used to be)...but whenever I feel sad I think of the good times my friends and I had together...& although sometimes it makes me feel even sadder that I'm not with them, most of the time it works...\n\nI'm planning on going on vacation next year, but we'll see...\n\nBut you know, my being away from my friends & living in a totally different place has helped me realize how good of a life I used to have as well as it has helped me appreciate all the ppl in my life...
974808
Your old friend is probably feeling betrayed by you.  She thought that she was doing a good thing by being nice to the 'new girl' and in turn has lost her best friend.  \n\nyou probably need to make it known that she still means as much to you as before and that you dont want another person to come between you.  Good luck and let me know what happens
397195
Well you should go out and find a new friend, a friends thats honest and trustworty.
899743
If she was a true friend no matter what she shouldn't be treating you this way.just because you make new friends doesn't mean you have to get rid of the old ones.try and talk to her find out what is her problem.if she doesnt change then you need to find a new friend someone who is sincere and trust worthy and who will always be by your side,good luck.
404495
You are your own's best support. Even I was having that feeling earlier but then I find out what are my likes and I concentrate on that things. Whatever make me feel good I start doing that. Try to be positive towards life and enjoy whatever you Have. Something is not in your hand to change but you can create a way to be calm/happy in that bad time. Its all up to you to live happy or down. All the best
961771
Open up to your closest friend and hang with him/her for a while with his/her group of friends. \n\nMeet new people in the process, and be a little more outgoing. With friends as the joy of your life, you won't feel lonely.\n\nAlso read motivational stories and tell yourself you don't have the worst of situations- people out there have it worse than you. Good things happen to people who make them happen. \n\nDon't waste your life away. \nPick yourself up, get yourself together. \n\nHave fun. (:
240665
You cant tell your friends what to do. what you have to do is either just let them be who they are now, and hope they will eventually go back to normal. Until then, you keep doing your own thing and being your own person!! more props to you for being urself, that is a hard thing to do.  If they dont come around, find some other friends that are themselves, then you all can have fun! meeting new people is fun anyway! good luck!
503186
Hi, I can get the way you now feel, because its such a long time you have been in the same place (like may be home or hospital), so you feel that the whole world has left you behind and is moving far ahead. So, start to read newspapers, magazines and try to debate on the topics with people you meet, and try to get their views and ideas, which will familiarise you with them and get a feel that you are one among them. Good luck.
855899
We all change and develop over time.....you are not exactly the same person you were 5 years ago.  So don't expect to be.  It seems what you have is a little lack of confidence.....happens to all of us.  Just get back on the horse so to speak.....but do it in small doses......Do some of the things you used to do and build little successes.....get your rythm back.... in the process you will make new friends and you'll forget all about this period....
930848
So you want to make friends now because you feel lonely .... does this about sum it up?\n\nStart slow; call your "best" friend and arrange a lunch.  During lunch tell your friend what you've told all of us and ask for his help in getting you out more socially.\n\nOr, make new friends.  Go to an event where people are put together by common interest - a book club, gardening club, whatever you are interested in.\n\nSince you've spent your life being alone, here's a rule to being a friend that will help - show interest in the other person, the friendship isn't all about you!  Ask questions about their life, most people love to share stories of their lives; after all, they want to share themselves too!
58305
Hi - I'm sorry that you feel that way. It sounds like you may need to talk with someone professional. There are so many things to be done that can help you to feel more social, or to alleviate that "empty" feeling. I hope you mention these feelings to someone near you who is kind and very caring.
218220
If you're surrounded by "friends" who are miserable and don't like you a whole lot, how can you possibly make new friends? Sometimes, you have to be lonely for a while before you can become unlonlely again. Give it a shot, it won't kill you.\nJust don't call anymore. Just don't stop by. If they call you, go ahead and answer the phone (unless they start to harrass you- then you block their calls.) But when you answer the phone, just act like you're talking to somebody who's trying to sell you something you don't want; hear them out, then tell them you're not interested, have a nice day and thanks for calling... they'll either get their act together and start treating you better, or they'll be miserable without your help and you'll be on your way toward a better friendship with someone else.
256147
If you surround yourself with people who make you feel bad... chances are that some part of yourself thinks that this is acceptable. \n\nWork on doing things for yourself that make you feel good, and try to make some more friends that like the things you do, and who help make you feel good. Notice the difference between the old friends, and the new friends.  \n\nWhen you value yourself and the things that you are doing, when you have a good opinion of yourself, you start to have a very low tolerance for people who treat you like crap! \n\nThere are plenty of people out there who are looking for fun, good friends, get out there and find them. You are a fun and good person who has a lot to offer, if someone is trying to make you feel bad, don't let them, they don't deserve your friendship!
743157
it sound like your friends are jerks. just try talking to new people. the best way to get over your old friends is to get new ones.