Feeling Ghosted? Here’s How To Deal With A Friend Who Ignores You
There are times when you keep calling your friends, and they do nothing but ignore you. Someone distancing you is nothing short of a nightmare, whether sudden or gradual. So, in such instances, you might wonder how to deal with a friend who ignores you.
While it’s tempting to jump to a conclusion and retaliate, if you handle the situation carefully, there are chances to uncover something unknown. So, here’s a practical guide to dealing with such a situation.
A Practical Guide on How to Deal with A Friend Who Ignores You
Being ignored is excruciatingly painful, but don’t get carried away with the negativity and try unearthing the real cause.
1. Pause and reflect on what went really wrong
Before reacting or getting anxious, take a pause and try to analyze what went wrong. What is that one thing that has forced them to ignore you?
- Did you say something abrupt to them?
- Has your friendship dynamics changed?
- Have you said something that has hurt them badly?
- Are they stressed out?
- Has some other person tried to fuel them with misunderstandings?
You must understand that there could be reasons that have nothing to do with you. Instead, simply giving them the benefit of the doubt can avoid those initial conflicts.
2. Give them space to think and cool off
Now that you have put on your thinking hat, stick to it for a while. One key factor to know when to deal with a friend who ignores you is not to hound them with questions.
It will surely annoy them even more; they might just break the friendship. Respect their space and let them acknowledge their feelings. Let things cool off, and once they do, they will sort it out if they want to.
3. Indulge in activities to get distracted from the situation
Now that you have decided to give them space, then take time off to concentrate on your mental health. If you keep thinking of the scenario, you’ll get more stressed.
Instead, focus on the activities that give you pleasure. Because constantly thinking about what went wrong can make you more miserable and take a toll on your mental and emotional health.
4. Once they can talk, have open communication
Addressing the issue is equally important. But you can’t force a person to strike up a conversation. Now that your friend has shown readiness to talk, have open communication, especially face-to-face.
Maintain a calm demeanor and avoid accusatory language like, “Why the hell are you ignoring me?” Such statements may not mend the relationship but will rather make it ugly. Instead, focus on your feelings.
5. Be a good listener – the one without judgments
You can’t miss this golden tip if you are wondering how to deal with a friend who ignores you. Now that you have poured your heart out, it’s their turn. You must be a listener, hear them out, and know their perspective.
You never know they might have a valid reason for this whole fiasco. There are chances that their reasons may hurt you badly, but try to understand their perspective – without judgment. In all this, it doesn’t mean you have to accept everything and anything. However, empathy in friendship can go a long way.
6. Explain your side of the story
Once your friend has put forth their grievance, it’s your chance to explain how this fight has affected you. When you get a chance to speak, narrate your side of the story.
If words have hurt them, let them know your perspective. Don’t blame them; instead, use more “I” statements when expressing your emotions. Most importantly, don’t forget to tell them how you felt when they ignored you.
7. Apologize if you think you have done something wrong
Whatever they have said, if you accept that it was your mistake and you were the problem, then apologize wholeheartedly. T
ake responsibility for your actions and put your ego aside. The way you feel hurt might have caused them to experience the same plight. Acknowledge their condition and embrace your fault. Validating that you were wrong can play a pivotal role in restoring your friendship.
8. Come up with a solution together – set healthy boundaries
At this point, you are pretty clear about what went wrong and who the culprit is – it could be words, situations, or anything. Well, sometimes an apology suffices, but some relationships are beyond that. They need time.
So, the best thing to do when it comes to how to deal with a friend who ignores you is to come up with a collective solution. For this, you must work together and develop friendship boundaries that will respect your life.
Sometimes, promises are made but not necessarily followed by all. So, if you think you can’t follow through, let them know. You are giving your 100% to give all in to rebuild that trust in friendship. Make it count!
9. Mingle with people who genuinely care for you
It’s terrible that the person you adore so much is ignoring you. But don’t forget that other people love you dearly. The person ignoring you is not the last person on earth. There are other friends we tend to overlook.
So, in the meantime, spare time for these friends and reach out to them not with selfish motives but with love. Instead of weeping in sadness, take time to build other precious relationships that can give you abundant happiness and positivity.
10. Know when to move on
Sometimes friendships fade, and that’s completely okay. Besides, if the friend who is ignoring you is forcing you to do things you do not approve of, it means they are manipulating you. You might be landing in a toxic friendship.
Instead of getting into this turmoil, it’s best to bid adieu to such a friendship. Accept it was never a true friendship. You’ll find trustworthy and loyal friends once you try mingling with other sane people. But you must know when to let go!
Over to you…
Being ignored by a friend is definitely a daunting experience. But with a guide on how to deal with a friend who ignores you, we hope you find light at the end of the tunnel.
Though you try to mend this friendship, don’t lose your self-respect because the right people will always try to stay connected, no matter what! You have every right to protect your peace if the effort isn’t mutual. So, make a decision wisely.
