Out With the Old, Making Space for the True
Navigating Relationships Beyond the Moment
Friendships shape us. They hold memories, stages of life, shared laughter, and sometimes shared pain. Many of us grow up believing that once someone becomes our friend, they are meant to stay forever. Yet life moves, we evolve, and who we surround ourselves with matters deeply to our emotional and mental well being.
So what happens when a friendship no longer fits who you are becoming?
National Unfriend Day is not about pettiness or drama. It is an invitation to evaluate which connections support your growth, which drain your energy, and which no longer reflect the person you are working to be.
Letting Go Can Be Hard
Releasing a friendship can feel like grief. Even unhealthy connections have comfort in familiarity.
You may ask yourself:
“What if I’m overreacting?”
“What if I end up alone?”
“Do I owe them more of me?”
It is normal to feel conflicted. Many people stay in friendships that diminish them because they fear the discomfort of change. Yet holding on to what hurts you slowly wears down your spirit.
Your peace is worth protecting.
The Emotional Impact of Unhealthy Friendships
Friendships can influence everything:
• Confidence
• Decision-making
• Mental health
• Self-worth
When a friendship becomes one-sided, manipulative, dismissive, or consistently draining, it can contribute to stress, anxiety, or feelings of inadequacy. In some cases, friends who encourage reckless behavior or substance misuse can pull you away from your goals and sense of self. This is why boundaries are not only healthy, they are necessary.
How to Know When It’s Time to Let Go
✔ You feel anxious or exhausted after being around them
✔ Your growth makes them uncomfortable or resentful
✔ You feel unsupported, unheard, or belittled
✔ The connection is based on who you used to be, not who you are becoming
If a friendship requires you to shrink yourself, that is not friendship.
How to Move Forward with Intention
✔ Reflect Honestly: Acknowledge what you learned from the relationship. Growth often comes from endings.
✔ Set Boundaries: Distance is a valid form of self-care. You do not need to justify peace.
✔ Seek Community That Feels Good: Look for relationships that feel safe, reciprocal, and uplifting.
✔ Talk About It: Counseling or peer support can help you process transitions in relationships, just like any other
You’re Not Alone in This
Letting go is not about rejection. It is an act of self-respect. Making space allows new
connections to enter your life that support who you are now and who you are becoming.
Support & Resources: LU Athletics St Psychology & Counseling:
✔ LSU Sport Psychology & Counseling: GeauxBeWell@lsu.edu or 985-277-9384
✔ LSU Mental Health Service Line: 225-578-5781
✔ Counseling Services for LSU Students: 225-578-9355
✔ 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call or Text)
✔ Peer Support Groups through LSU Wellness
✔ SAMHSA Helpline (Substance Use): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Your relationships should help you rise. Releasing what no longer serves you is not the end of your story. It is the beginning of a healthier, more grounded one. You deserve care, honesty, and connection that nourishes your spirit.
