# Step back from a friendship that no longer works

Think through whether to fade, talk, or end a friendship, and get kind words for whichever you choose.

- Topic: Personal Life & Wellbeing
- Framework: RTF
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Fill-in Template, Interactive
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/step-back-from-a-friendship-that-no-longer-works

## Prompt

```text
Help me decide what to do about a friendship that isn't working for me anymore.

**Who and how long:** [e.g. "friend since high school, 15 years"]
**What's changed or bothers me:** [SPECIFIC BEHAVIORS OR PATTERNS]
**What I still value about them:** [ANYTHING]
**Have I raised it with them?** [YES/NO, what happened]
**Shared connections:** [friend group, work, family, kids' school]
**What I'm leaning toward:** [talk it out / see them less / end it / not sure]

Help me in two parts.

**Part 1: Decide.** Ask me 3-5 clarifying questions first if anything important is missing. Then lay out my options (have an honest conversation, spend less time together, a gradual fade, a clear ending), with pros, cons, and when each fits. Point out if a single conversation might fix it.

**Part 2: Act.** For the option I choose, give me:
- Exact wording (message or talking points), honest without listing every grievance.
- How to handle shared friends and events without asking anyone to pick sides.
- Replies if they're hurt, angry, or ask for another chance.
- How to cope with guilt or sadness afterward.

Keep it kind to both of us. If the friendship involves threats, manipulation, or feeling unsafe, prioritize my safety and suggest outside support.
```

## What to fill in

- e.g. "friend since high school, 15 years"
- SPECIFIC BEHAVIORS OR PATTERNS
- ANYTHING
- YES/NO, what happened
- friend group, work, family, kids' school
- talk it out / see them less / end it / not sure

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.