How To Deal With A Friend Who Is Ignoring You

Things could have been going great recently with a friend until they weren’t and it suddenly dawns on you that your friend is ignoring you. 

Or they may have been distant and giving you the cold shoulder lately and I totally understand, it sucks! 

The continuous act of ignoring your messages or attempts to make up again and still get ignored, may make you feel even worse. 

Especially if you’re not even sure why they are mad at you in the first place.

It’s not straightforward or as easy to deal with a friend who is ignoring you but there are a few things you can do that may help you to get a greater perspective on the situation.

If you’ve been feeling bad or confused as to why your friend is ignoring you and you would like to know how to deal with it, here are a few simple things you can try:

Ways To Deal With A Friend Who Ignores You

Be Sure That They Are Ignoring You

Before you jump the horse and assume your friend is ignoring you, chances are that it really might have nothing to do with you at all. 

Your friend may be dealing with things that they can’t share with others or they just want to take some time and figure out everything that’s going on in their head.

When a person is in a bad mental space, they can lash out at those who are close to them unintentionally and will later feel bad when they realise what they have done.

Check with a few other mutual friends if this friend is ignoring them as well. If so, then perhaps your friend is just not in the space to talk.

However, if you are only on the receiving end of this friend’s attitude, then this may indicate that it does have something to do with you.

You’ll have to give it time to see if this directly involves you or not, especially if you know for sure that you haven’t done anything to piss this person off.

Related post: What to do when your friend won’t respond

Lower Your Expectations

It’s easy to think of someone we know and love in the highest regard but this doesn’t discount the fact that everyone has flaws or issues that may not be favorable.

If you have done a sufficient amount of attempts to try to understand and make up with this friend, then you’ve done all that you can do.

Don’t expect too much from someone who continues to ignore every effort you put into it.

Like all other relationships, even a friendship requires the effort of both parties to make it work.

Realize That People Change

Circumstances and events change us as a person and sometimes it’s not easy to relate to people who we used to get on with like a house on fire.

This is normal. The more we experience life, the things we like and the things we do will change.

If you find that your friend is no longer the person that they used to be or who you enjoyed hanging out with, this could very likely be that they have changed in some way.

Also, if ignoring you was something they’ve done before but have been doing for a while, this could be the new way they approach dealing with things that they have issues with.

Related post: How to know if your friend is mad at you

This is something you should not shoulder but accept that you have no control over how others feel or act.

Attempt To Reach Out One More Time

If the whole situation with your friend is really bothering you, the best thing that you can do for you is to try to reach out to them one more time.

By doing this, you’re giving yourself one last chance to resolve or make up for any thing your may have done to that friend.

Also, doing this can be a great way to know that you gave it your best shot and you did all that you can do to make things right.

Try To Meet Up To Discuss The Issues

The next step you can take to deal with a friend who is ignoring you is to suggest meeting up to discuss the problem or issues that they may have.

I recommend this one for those who are dealing with their best friend or someone they don’t want to lose. 

But if this particular friend has had previous toxic behaviours with you in the past and has made no move to change the way they treat you, it’s not worth putting in much effort like this step.

They can easily make you feel like you are to blame for everything even if you haven’t done anything to them.

Related post: How to ask someone if they have a problem with you

Apologize If You Have Made A Mistake

It takes a big person to apologise for the mistakes that they make and it will make you a better person in the present and future.

If you find out that you may have done something to your friend, don’t be afraid to genuinely apologize to them.

Try suggesting to them to tell you if they were offended by something you did or said rather than icing you out.

Issues will get resolved fast if it’s not prolonged.

See also: How to apologize to a friend who is mad at you

Give Them Space But Put Yourself First

If all attempts at making up or you are still getting ignored in every way possible by your friend, let it be. 

Wait for them to come around when they want to and stop all communication. If you find that the reason why they ignored you was uncalled for, make it known.

You can put yourself first and if the way that they are treating you is getting you down, being friends with this person is not the best thing right now for you.

Your mental health and wellbeing should always come first.

Move On And Let It Go

Moving on is never easy but it is possible. Sometimes certain people are not meant to remain in our life and it’s usually because it’s simply a redirection for us.

These things happen to test us and help us learn from these experiences to enrich our lives for the better.

Your friend ignoring you for an uncalled reason or maybe it really was your fault, there’s nothing you can really do unless that person wants to make things work as well.

You can’t cater to everyone but just know that you have done your best. 

And that’s all that matters to be honest.