'I felt absolutely sick to my stomach as I read their comments': The text messages from friends she was never meant to see
As I scrolled through my phone, I couldn't believe what I was reading. Two of my closest friends, the ones I had confided in and shared so many memories with, were discussing how much they couldn't stand me and didn't want to be friends anymore.
I felt my heart drop as I read through their messages, filled with cruel and hurtful words directed towards me. I couldn't understand how they could say such things after all the years we had spent together.
I felt betrayed and isolated, as if my entire support system had been ripped away from me.
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One of the women, Julia, had accidentally posted her nasty comments in a group WhatsApp page, and it took a while for one of my other friends to realise I was in there as well. I could tell because the messages stopped abruptly.
Some of the messages were saying I always bragged about my kids' achievements and that I was a "try hard.' Another accused me of having breast implants, which is not true. Then Julia said I used too much Botox จC I've only ever tried it one time, and that was several years ago.
I felt absolutely sick to my stomach as I read their comments.
I couldn't help but replay all of our interactions in my head, trying to figure out where things went wrong. Had I done something to offend them? Had I not been a good friend to them? I couldn't think of anything that would justify the level of disdain they held for me.
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I felt a wave of emotions wash over me จC anger, sadness, confusion. How could they be so cruel and callous? How could they talk about me behind my back and not have the decency to confront me face-to-face? How could they throw away our friendship so easily?
I realised these two friends, who I had considered my confidants, were not the people I thought they were. They were not true friends, and their actions had shown me they didn't value our relationship the way I did.
"I thanked them for being big enough to say sorry, but said our friendship was over."?
I realised I deserved better friends, ones who would treat me with respect and kindness, not ones who would talk about me behind my back. I realised I didn't need their negativity and toxicity in my life.
After talking to my partner about it, I decided to take action and confront these horrible women. I let them know I'd seen their messages and that I was hurt and disappointed by their actions. I told them that their behaviour was unacceptable and that I would no longer tolerate it.
To my surprise, they didn't try to deny what they had said and instead apologised profusely. Julia told me she'd been going through a tough time with her divorce and that her words didn't reflect how she truly felt about me. But her apology came too late, the damage was already done.
I thanked them for being big enough to say sorry, but said our friendship was over. I couldn't trust them anymore. Losing these two friends was a difficult and painful experience, but it also taught me an important lesson: true friends are hard to come by and should be cherished.
They are the ones who will be there for you through the good times and the bad, the ones who will lift you up when you're feeling down, and the ones who will be honest with you, even when it's difficult.
I am grateful for the memories and experiences I shared with these two friends, but I am also grateful that I had the strength and courage to let them go.
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