Finding Closure: How Letting Go of an Old Friend Can Lead to New Beginnings

Have you ever felt a sudden disconnect with your best friend due to their behavior, comments, or values?

Recently, I decided to end my friendship with my bestie and stopped communicating. Throughout our years of friendship, I never felt we were so different, especially in terms of cultural class.

What I meant by class is different from social hierarchy, but the cultural class.

Despite traveling to more countries than I have, my friend lacked cultural sensitivity and awareness in conversations. Perhaps, in her culture, this behavior is seen as being 'cool.'

Here is why I let her go...

• Her words didn't match her actions. When she returned from her trip, she promised to bring me a souvenir. However, on my birthday, she not only forgot the souvenir but also my birthday gift, with the excuse that it was on its way.

• She gave me the middle finger during a conversation about travel and visas. Although my passport is more powerful than hers, this is beyond my control. She made this gesture as part of a joke.

I value and respect people who deliver their words with actions, proper cultural behavior.

The middle finger might look cool to the younger generation or a certain group of people, but not to me. That's culturally insensitive, cursing, humiliating behavior.

I let her go after several years of friendship. Do I regret? No. I am glad that I saw her different sides and her behaviors that I didn't notice before.

I aim to age gracefully, embracing cultural sensitivity and differences, without resorting to cursing, using offensive gestures, or humiliating others.

Have you experienced something like this before and let your bestie (friend) go from your social circle?

Please share your experience in the comments.