Breakups are always difficult, especially if you've been together for a while - but no one talks about friendship breakups and how much harder they can be compared to a romantic one.
Sometimes it's impossible to avoid conflict, but falling our with friends can hurt much more than breaking up with a partner due to the deep rooted connections made.
Little Mix star Perrie Edwards recently opened up about the emotional toll of falling out with friends, addressing her once close bond with former bandmate Jesy Nelson.
The singer said it can be "hard to deal with" when all of a sudden that person who's been in your life is suddenly gone, as she opened up on Ferne Cotton's Happy Place podcast.
Your 20s are a time when you're navigating a new stage of your life. Meeting new people, getting on the career ladder and forming paths for your future, but it can also be a time when you realise you have grown out of your old life - and sometimes people too.
While it can be hard to lose friends, chartered psychologist Dr Louise Goddard-Crawley has shared some top tips on how to handle friendship fallout and navigate the tricky territory that comes with it.
"Friendship breakups are more common than we sometimes realise, and the pain they cause can be surprisingly intense - often harder to process than a romantic breakup. This may be because, in close friendships, we often share our most authentic selves, leaning on each other through life's good and bad times. When this relationship ends, it can leave us feeling abandoned, vulnerable, or even like a part of us is missing," Dr Goddard-Crawley told Daily Mirror.
The expert said these breakups can arise from drifting values, life changes or simply unmet needs. However, unlike a romantic breakup where there's more of a 'formal' process, a friendship split may happen quietly, leaving one or both friends with unanswered questions.
"Sometimes, it's simply a matter of growth: we evolve, and sometimes those closest to us no longer fit our lives in the same way," she added, and if it does happen, advised: "In the aftermath of a friendship breakup, allow yourself to grieve and feel the loss. Acknowledging the hurt is essential, as denying it can make moving on harder. Reflect on the friendship, honouring what it brought into your life - this can provide closure and a sense of peace."
However it can be a little trickier if you've fallen out with someone in your friendship group or social circle. If this is the case, the expert suggested to "gently set boundaries" to help create the emotional space you may need. She further said: "Over time, focus on relationships or activities that bring positivity or a sense of comfort.
"Friendship breakups are a reminder of the dynamic nature of our relationships. And, in the end, the pain of losing them speaks to just how important they truly are."
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