Feeling Left Out of the Crowd? What to Do When Friends Exclude You
When your friends have purposely excluded you, it may mean something is up, or not! But here's how to differentiate a problem in your friendship versus reasonable behavior.
Before you decide that your friends are purposely excluding you in their plans, take a step back and see if your expectations are reasonable. People don't always get invited to certain events every single time, and when they don't it certainly isn't anything personal. Your friends may have felt that you were too busy or wouldn't enjoy the activity.
If you constantly feel as if you need more time with your pals, ask yourself if you are acting clingy. Clingy behavior includes:
Here's how to take a look at your friendship expectations.
There are certain instances when friends may leave you out of their plans. These include:
Friends may also exclude you when they have an issue with you of some sort. Some people are not good at expressing their feelings, and behave in a childish manner rather than dealing with a situation directly. If this is the case, you can try discussing it with your friend. If your pal denies there is a problem or refuses to work it out, you may need to accept that they have moved on from you.
Other times, exclusion occurs when the dynamics of a group change, such as when new members come on board. Again, you can talk about it with your friends but they may be too embarrassed or ignorant of their behavior to make a change.
If you're feeling left out, the obvious answer is to talk it out with your friends. But be cautious. Before you bring it up, make sure you haven't assumed too much about the relationship. Perhaps you thought you were good friends when in fact you haven't known each other that long. Try continually meeting new friends so that you have different people in your life.
If, however, you are being excluded from good friends, this is a clear message that there is a problem with the friendship. Try discussing it with your friends. If they do not acknowledge your feelings, accept the fact that your friendship may have run its course. Saying goodbye to friends is never easy, but you deserve respect and to be treated well.
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Examine Your Expectations
Before you decide that your friends are purposely excluding you in their plans, take a step back and see if your expectations are reasonable. People don't always get invited to certain events every single time, and when they don't it certainly isn't anything personal. Your friends may have felt that you were too busy or wouldn't enjoy the activity.
If you constantly feel as if you need more time with your pals, ask yourself if you are acting clingy. Clingy behavior includes:
- Expecting that when you become friends with someone, they invite you to everything.
- Becoming angry when a friend talks about another pal or acquaintance.
- Assuming that when you meet someone new he or she is instantly your best friend.
Here's how to take a look at your friendship expectations.
Times When Friends May Leave You Out
There are certain instances when friends may leave you out of their plans. These include:
- When two of your good friends get together. It is not uncommon for a third friend to be excluded.
- When friends take part in a "tradition," or an event or activity that certain people in a group are used to doing together.
- When you have said no in the past. (Friends may assume you don't enjoy certain activities or are too busy.)
- When you have had a rift with someone. If the other friend isn't comfortable seeing you, you may be excluded from a group activity.
What Exclusion Means in a Friendship
Friends may also exclude you when they have an issue with you of some sort. Some people are not good at expressing their feelings, and behave in a childish manner rather than dealing with a situation directly. If this is the case, you can try discussing it with your friend. If your pal denies there is a problem or refuses to work it out, you may need to accept that they have moved on from you.
Other times, exclusion occurs when the dynamics of a group change, such as when new members come on board. Again, you can talk about it with your friends but they may be too embarrassed or ignorant of their behavior to make a change.
How to Handle Exclusion From Friends
If you're feeling left out, the obvious answer is to talk it out with your friends. But be cautious. Before you bring it up, make sure you haven't assumed too much about the relationship. Perhaps you thought you were good friends when in fact you haven't known each other that long. Try continually meeting new friends so that you have different people in your life.
If, however, you are being excluded from good friends, this is a clear message that there is a problem with the friendship. Try discussing it with your friends. If they do not acknowledge your feelings, accept the fact that your friendship may have run its course. Saying goodbye to friends is never easy, but you deserve respect and to be treated well.
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Stay up to date on the latest Friendship news and learn more about meeting new people, forming friendships, and keeping great pals in your life. Sign up for ourfree Friendship newsletter today!