How to Fix a Broken Friendship

Overview

The majority of friendships are built on trust, and one of the quickest ways these friendships can get derailed is when that trust is broken. Most people have experienced a broken friendship at some point and have been faced with the task of rebuilding that friendship. Factors such as hurt feelings, pride and anger can all derail your attempt to mend fences with your friend, so it is important that you be genuinely interested in healing wounds if you want your efforts to be successful.

Step 1

Examine the cause of your broken friendship. Was it a fight? Did someone lie? What factors contributed to the break-up? Try to look at yourself objectively to determine what went wrong. Remember that it takes two to fight.

Step 2

Determine whether your feud erupted because of one instance or whether tension was built up over time. Many times friends will have a fight over a situation that is minor on its own but is the latest in a string of incidents. If this is the case, you can use this knowledge to forgive one another for the fight and focus on the larger issues between one another.

Step 3

Consider how important the friendship is to you. Depending on the reasons for your fallout, fixing your friendship might require a lot of time and energy. You will want to have positive motivators to help you along. Brainstorm the various qualities of your friendship that you miss, and let your friend know that when you talk.

Step 4

Decide how you want to approach the person. If you think she is still mad and might blow up at you, or if she might need time to think about what you are saying, sending a letter or email might be the best option. If your friend is hurt and expecting an apology or to otherwise hear from you, it might be a good idea to make a phone call or visit in person.

Step 5

Admit your faults and avoid casting blame. Your fight was the time to lash out at one another, but you've no doubt made mistakes of your own. Focus on your regrets and your desire to mend the friendship. If your friend cares equally, he will no doubt want to do the same.