5 Ways to Rekindle a Lost Friendship

You must have had some wonderful old friends who bring an occasional smile on your face in the middle of random days as you chance upon old photographs or hear of things that only the two of you shared, maybe an old song or a particular movie. Unfortunately, though we may have good memories, not many of us are still in touch with friends we made in earlier part of your life. You still may not be tight with your 7th grade bestie, she may have become a ghost friend—you know there’s a bond but nothing is tangible. A lot of time has elapsed since school and you wonder if it is possible to salvage a lost friendship? Kamna Chibber, clinical psychologist and  head of department, department of mental health and behavioural sciences, Fortis Healthcare, Delhi, says, it’s possible though it isn’t easy. You can’t just pickup from where you left off, it will require efforts from your end.  Here’s Kamna’s advice on how to get things rolling with a new old friend.

1. Reach out and reconnect through a simple message or call. Let go of the inhibition to take the first step. Someone has to initiate and let that person be you.

2. Share nostalgic moments from the past as reminders of the good times. Send across notes and pictures you may have from those times.

3. Be willing to let go of what may have gone wrong in the past. Reaching out should happen with a genuine interest to rekindle the friendship and not to seek reparation for past misdeeds.

4. Look towards creating good moments by focusing on the joy of being connected after long and engaging in mutual sharing of experiences.

5. Consider including others who were common connections. This can increase the comfort and fun quotient of the situation.