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When you first start hanging out with someone new, it's like being on an exciting adventure - everything is fun, and you both seem to get on brilliantly. But as time goes on, sometimes those amazing feelings start to fade, and things might not feel as great as they did in the beginning. This can happen with friends or with someone you're dating, and it's pretty tough to handle.

So, why do we move apart? It might be because you start to see things in them that you hadn't noticed before, or perhaps both of you are changing as you grow up. It's natural for people to evolve and sometimes that means evolving in different directions. It doesn't mean anyone is to blame; it's just a part of life.

Dealing with the end of a friendship or a relationship is never easy, especially when you used to believe you were great together. Here's a look into why this happens and some tips on how to handle it.

Understanding Why Relationships Change

Change is a natural part of life, even though it can be really hard. As you grow up, you learn more about yourself, develop new interests, and might even want to spend time with different people. All of these changes can impact your friendships and relationships.

Sometimes you or the other person might make new friends or start different hobbies, and slowly, the things you had in common start to dwindle. Other times, one of you might just change your outlook on what's important, altering how well you mesh together. It's like when you're working on a team project in school; sometimes everyone is on the same page, but then people start seeing things differently, and it's not as easy to work together anymore.

Dealing with Change and Loss

Realising that you're drifting apart from someone can feel a lot like losing a part of your world, especially if they were a close friend or your first boyfriend or girlfriend. You might feel sad, confused, or even angry. That's all normal. It's okay to mourn a relationship, just like you would if you lost something else important to you.

Here are some helpful strategies:

• Give Yourself Time: Give yourself permission to feel upset. You don't need to pretend everything is okay when it isn't.
• Talk About It: Talk to someone you trust like a family member, another friend, or a teacher. They might not be able to fix things, but sometimes just talking about it can make a big difference.
• Stay Active: Keep busy with other activities you enjoy. This can help take your mind off things and remind you that there are other happy parts of your life.
• Reflect: Think about what you've learned from the relationship. Every relationship, even the ones that end, can teach you something valuable about yourself and others.

Moving On and Growing

Moving on from someone doesn't mean you have to forget about them or the good times you shared. It just means acknowledging that things are different now and that it's okay to move forward with your life. Growth is a part of who we are, and it happens throughout our lives.

Growth can also bring new opportunities:

1. Make New Friends: Being open to meeting new people can lead to wonderful friendships and experiences that you wouldn't have had otherwise.
2. Explore New Interests: Maybe there's a sport you always wanted to try, or a club you want to join. Now might be a good time to explore those interests.
3. Remember Self-Value: Relationships are just one part of who you are. Remember all the other things that make you amazing.

When It's Time to Say Goodbye

If you feel like the relationship has really come to an end, it's respectful to have a proper goodbye. Here's how you can handle that:

Tips on Saying Goodbye Gracefully:

• Be honest: If possible, share why you think it's time to go your separate ways in a kind, honest way. Blaming or being rude isn't helpful.
• Be thankful: Remember what was good about the relationship and express gratitude for the time you had together.
• Keep it private: This kind of conversation should be private. It's not something that should happen via text or in front of other people.

Navigating the ups and downs of relationships is a big part of growing up. It teaches us a lot about others and even more about ourselves. Remember, just because a friendship or relationship comes to an end doesn't mean you failed. its just another step in your journey of understanding people and the world around you.

And remember, it's totally fine to seek out kind words and advice when you're feeling down about these things. Sometimes, just a little bit of support can make a huge difference in helping you feel better and move forward.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

• Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
• The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
• Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.