Comics for Contemplation: Friend Problems

Art By Cloe Moreno, Audio by This Teenage Life

This week, we received several emails from teen and preteen listeners. In one, the listener described a dilemma we often hear about.

“Lately, I’ve been struggling with my friend group. They don’t treat me very well, and it’s started to really affect how I feel about myself. I often feel left out or judged, and it's hard to know whether I should try to make things better or move on. It's been confusing and hurtful, and I’m not sure what the healthiest next step is.

Do you have any tips for how to get over a bad friend group or how to find better, more supportive friends as a teenage girl?”

Upon reading her email, most of the TTL teens advised finding new friends who are more supportive instead of ones who aren’t kind. But friend distancing/break-ups can be challenging and tender. Here is a comic that TTL’s artist, Cloe Moreno, made to describe the complicated feelings that many of us have when we choose to distance ourself from friends.

If you want to hear more, here is an episode we made on the topic.

Whether it be drifting apart from old friends, having a friend move to a new place or school, or severing ties with toxic friends, losing touch with people can be difficult and painful. In this episode, we're talking about the many different kinds of friend "breakups," as TTL participants share their experiences and advice. 

You can find part 2 on our Spotify. We would so appreciate you subscribing and giving us 5-stars if you’re up for it! Thank you!