Something is disturbing our friendship
I am a 15-year-old girl in Std IX. Every time I think that I’m comfortable with my friends something or the other disturbs our friendship. My best friend was very close to me last year, but this year she’s in another class and our bond is not as strong as before. I feel that she has started to avoid me. When I think of making new friends something stops me and reminds me of our friendship. I am very confused. By the way this is not disturbing my studies but I’m not able to take part in the co-curricular activities of school as before. Please help me.
Nayana
Dear Nayana, teenagers need to feel secure and accepted in their relationships with other teenage friends, going with the crowd and doing what they do (e.g., dress code, jargon and behaviour). When a peer relationship breaks down teenagers worry because they feel insecure and fear it may affect the rest of their life. In your situation you feel confused and insecure about what to do: “I am very confused”. You are afraid of making new friends, because your heart is still attached to your former best friend. The time has come now to open your heart and mind to new friends and build again with them the good and strong bond you had built with your former best friend. Your past experience will help you to enjoy more beautiful and lasting relationships for the rest of your life
Dr Anthony Grugni, MD, was associated with The Teenager Today for nearly three decades in the capacity of youth counsellor.