Life Lessons at 32 The Difficulty of Ending a Longtime Friendship
One of the toughest decisions I made in 2023, at the age of 32, was to end a five-year friendship. My journey began with a personal change: I stopped using cannabis. I realized it was making me complacent about my life's direction. While I was engaged in activities like stand-up comedy every Thursday, I felt cannabis was holding me back.
My friend, who shared the habit of smoking cannabis with me, seemed to disregard my commitments. They would repeatedly call during my stand-up nights, despite knowing I was unavailable. After eight weeks of this continuous pattern, my patience wore thin. I had already decided to quit cannabis, recognizing its negative impact on my life, including increased paranoia that made it difficult for me to leave my house.
Despite quitting, my friend continued to smoke during our hangouts and would offer me cannabis, ignoring my repeated refusals and my clear decision to quit. This disregard for my choices and boundaries, combined with the persistent calls on my busy Thursdays, led me to a breaking point.
I confronted my friend one Saturday morning, explaining how their actions, especially the calls and attempts to persuade me to smoke, were the reasons I needed to end our friendship. It was a tough conversation, and I could sense their shock, but I knew it was necessary for my personal growth.
Through this experience, I want to encourage others who might be in a similar situation. It's okay to end friendships if they hinder your progress in life. Remember, making significant lifestyle changes, like quitting substances, can sometimes lead to losing friends who don't understand or respect your choices.
I hope sharing my story helps others realize the importance of setting boundaries and making tough decisions for their well-being. It's a lesson I wish I had learned earlier than my 30s.
Thank you for reading. May this serve as a reminder to prioritize your personal growth and well-being.
