MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Just like romantic relationships, friendships can unexpectedly end, leaving individuals feeling hurt and lost. While it’s often easier to discuss the challenges of romantic breakups, the pain of losing a sister-like friend can be equally as devastating.
Whether one called it quits or it was a mutual decision, it’s natural to experience a range of emotions. Healing takes time, and being gentle with oneself during this process is important.
Why do ‘friendship breakups’ happen?
Friendships, like people, evolve. What once felt like a perfect match might change over time. Some common reasons why friendships change are:
- Sometimes, life happens: New jobs, families, or even moving to a new city can create distance between friends. What was once a constant connection can slowly fizzle out. Bumble, the women-first dating and social networking app, revealed that more than 1 in 10 (12%) Filipinos surveyed find it harder to keep in touch and connect with friends since the beginning of the pandemic.
- Growing apart: As people grow and change, their priorities and interests may shift. What brought friends together initially might not be as central to their lives now. In fact, close to 1 in 5 (19%)* Filipinos surveyed agreed that it’s normal to grow out of friendships that no longer serve them in their current stage of life – perhaps a common hobby that started the friendship is no longer the interest of the other. This can sometimes lead to a mismatch where friendships no longer feel compatible.
- Communication challenges: Misunderstandings, unresolved conflicts, or a lack of open communication can create distance. For instance, being hurt by a friend said without addressing it can build resentment over time.
On healing and moving forward
Overcoming the pain of a lost friendship requires time and self-care. Here are some tips to help you bounce back:
- Feel the feels – First things first, acknowledge your emotions. You might feel blindsided, angry, or deeply saddened. Let yourself grieve the loss of the friendship and allow yourself the needed space for healing. Talk to a trusted confidante, write in a journal, or channel your energy into a creative outlet.
- Reflect on your friendship – Reflect on what you learned about yourself and the kind of friendships you crave. Maybe you need someone who shares your passions, or perhaps you value open communication above all else.
- Practice self-care – Dust off those hobbies you put on hold, take a long bubble bath, or reconnect with activities that bring you joy. Surround yourself with positive people who support you and make you laugh.
- Build new bridges – Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to unexpected and wonderful connections.
Bumble’s APAC Communications Director, Lucille McCart, said, “While many people know us as being in the business of romance, friendship is just as important to our mission. Bumble believes in healthy and equitable relationships and that connections are crucial to a happy life, whether romantic or platonic. Unfortunately, friendship breakups are typically part of your 20s as it’s a real time of transition – either when you grow apart from historical relationships like friends from high school and forge new ones in the workplace, or based on a divergence on changing mutual interests. However no matter your life stage, Bumble For Friends creates a safe, kind space to find platonic friends nearby to connect with people while helping solve the extremely important issue of loneliness.
Find new connections on Bumble for Friends
In today’s fast-paced world, finding genuine friendships can be challenging. According to Bumble’s survey, more than half (68%) of Filipinos surveyed are keen to find new friends in their local area for the convenience of meeting up and doing things together, with more than one-third (36%) of Filipinos surveyed agreeing that making new friends still positively impacts their mental health and wellbeing.
Bumble also shared that a significant majority of people globally (74%) are actively seeking like-minded individuals to build their support network. In fact, people are venturing into the realm of “digital” friendships, with three out of five individuals surveyed stating that their numerous online activities have opened their minds to finding their internet friends.
In 2023, Bumble Inc. announced the launch of Bumble For Friends, a standalone app for finding friends available for download in the Philippines. The app creates a new way for people to grow their friendship circles by discovering meaningful, kind, and fun connections in their local area, separate from the Bumble dating app.
Bumble For Friends is free to download and is available on the App Store and Google Play in the Philippines, as well as Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with more regions to come.
