Managing relationships might be one of the hardest things in the world to do. Social interactions are a complex beast, one that starts when we’re young and evolves as we get older. People make mistakes all the time with social cues, including that friend who has unfortunately been overstepping their boundaries in one way or another. If your friend is doing that to you, here’s how to tell them you need some space, without ripping their heart and crushing their soul.
Focus On Practical Issues
The key is to make sure your friend understands that it’s truly nothing personal. One way to do that is to focus on practical issues that you both often discuss. For instance, if your friend constantly talks about a guy she likes, you may want to construct your “breakup” with her around this topic.
Instead of telling her you need space, tell her that you don’t think it’s healthy for her to be talking about that guy all the time. This shows her that you may need space, but in a way that shows you also care about her at the same time. By focusing on the topics at hand, instead of “her” as an individual, you’ll be able to avoid hurting her feelings as you ease away from her slowly.