RELATIONSHIPS
YOUR FRIENDSHIP FEELS OVER: NOW WHAT?
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As a Master Certified Leadership and Life Coach, Julie Stenberg, Founder of
Call to Lead Coaching, knows a lot about relationships. So, when the topic of outgrowing friendships came up, we knew she could walk us through how to handle what can sometimes be a difficult or uncomfortable life transition. It’s often stated that friends are with us for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
While that sounds simple in theory, it can be more complicated when human emotions are involved. What happens when a friendship has reached the end of its season? Let’s dive in. There are many reasons you might feel a gradual rift with someone who was
once quite close. Sometimes it’s circumstantial: a move that puts physical distance between you, a change in jobs that lessens the frequency of your interactions, or a dissolution of a romantic partnership that shakes up your circle. Other times, there’s a direct, more personal cause. You might find yourselves growing in opposite directions and pursuing different interests—and one or the other of you isn’t willing to follow in this new path. Or, it could be more serious, such as a betrayal of trust, lack of reciprocal effort, or unacceptable behavior. In these instances, it may be easier to make a definitive split, with fair reasons that can be cited. Some friendships also just kind of fade out without being able to pinpoint a specific reason. If you’re both on the same page, then little needs to be done except to let nature take its course.
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SUMMER 2026 : WMW
“You almost have to create some closure for yourself, even if you can’t get that from the relationship. You do it for yourself so you can build something new.”