lately i’ve been noticing a shift in how i feel around some of my close friends, and it’s been bothering me more than i expected. nothing major happened, no big fight or fallout. it’s just that conversations feel more forced now, like i have to think harder about what to say. our interests don’t really line up the way they used to, and sometimes i leave hangouts feeling drained instead of happy.
i still care about them, which is what makes this so confusing. part of me wonders if this is just a normal phase or something i should push through, but another part of me feels like i’m holding on out of habit rather than genuine connection.
i also feel guilty even thinking this way, like i’m being a bad friend for wanting space or something different. i don’t know if i should try harder to reconnect, slowly distance myself, or actually have a conversation about it… but i’m worried that bringing it up might hurt them or make things awkward.