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What steps help me stay connected to old friends? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

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  SPEAKER_00: Losing touch with old friends is something almost everyone goes through as life gets busier, priorities shift, or people end up in different places.
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  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't mean the friendships failed or meant less than it did, and connections naturally ebb and flow as circumstances change, and reaching back out is always possible.
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  SPEAKER_00: A common thought that keeps people stuck is believing too much time has passed to reconnect, so try testing that thought instead of accepting it as a fact.
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  SPEAKER_00: So ask yourself what you would think if an old friend reached out to you after a long time?
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  SPEAKER_00: Chances are you'd feel happy, not put off.
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  SPEAKER_00: So shifting from it's too late to reach out to it's worth a try can help open that door.
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  SPEAKER_00: You also don't need to recreate the friendship exactly as it was.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: Old friendships can evolve into something that fits your current life even if it looks different from before.
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  SPEAKER_00: And practical ways to support yourself with this, you can just start small, so send a message referencing a shared memory or something that reminds you of them rather than a generic hey, how are you?
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  SPEAKER_00: You could even suggest a low pressure catch-up, a call, a coffee, or even just a voice note exchange so there's no pressure for a big reunion straight away.
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  SPEAKER_00: If distance or time zones make it person contact hard, build in a small routine like a monthly check-in or a shared group chat so contact doesn't only rely on remembering each time.
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  SPEAKER_00: Being upfront about wanting to stay closer without making it heavy also helps the other person know where they stand.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_00: And if reaching out brings up strong anxiety, rejection fears or patterns of avoiding contact with people altogether, it may help to talk this through with a therapist, particularly if it connects to wider difficulties with trust or self-worth.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_00: And if a friendship ended due to conflict or a falling out you're still struggling with, then support from a therapist as well can also help you process that before deciding whether to reconnect.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: You can find more support and resources on navigating changing social circles in the app.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: If you are thinking about harming yourself and feeling safe, then please seek urgent help by contacting your local emergency number or a crisis helpline.