If you have ever lost a friend and felt like you weren't allowed to grieve it, this episode is for you. In this deeply personal solo episode, Tamsen opens up about one of the most painful experiences women carry quietly: the friendship breakup. Whether it ended with a blowup, a slow fade, or a silence that just kept getting louder, the loss of a close friend can hurt just as much as a romantic breakup, and yet the world rarely gives you permission to treat it that way. Tamsen shares her own story of losing a close friend around the time of her wedding, the years of silence that followed, and the phone call that finally changed everything. She also breaks down the science behind why friendship loss registers in your brain as physical pain, and introduces a term from psychology you may have never heard, but will immediately recognize. She also shares 5 tools to help you start moving through it, not around it. You'll learn how to: - Write the letter you never have to send (but desperately need to write) - Use the two-column method to get honest about what the friendship really was - Ask yourself the one question before you reach out or try to fix it - Stop filling the space before you've heard what it's telling you This episode is also for the woman who was the one who pulled away, who stopped calling back, who outgrew someone she used to love. The guilt of that is real too, and Tamsen doesn't skip over it. Friendship loss is one of the most common experiences women share and one of the least talked about. If this conversation helped you feel less alone in it, we’d love to hear from you.  If you like this episode, then you will love: How Friendships Can Change Your Life Stay connected with Tamsen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get ⁠Tamsen's newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ filled with free tools⁠ to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠How To Menopause⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Tamsen  Watch all the episodes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Tamsen Show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Tamsen on ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠  Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices