Friendship is one of the most cherished bonds we have in life. Unlike other relationships, where you might hesitate to share your deepest thoughts, friends offer a safe haven of trust and understanding.
They celebrate your triumphs and stand by you in tough times. However, even the closest friends can experience conflicts. When a simple misunderstanding escalates into a bigger issue, it can lead to a cold war, with neither party willing to make the first move. But don’t worry—there are ways to mend the bond.
How can you apologize to a good friend after a heated fight?
Eminent relationship counselor and marriage counselor in Delhi NCR Shivani Misri Sadhoo shares a few tips and tricks to win your good friend back after a big fight.
Are You Ready?
Are you emotionally ready for this? After an intense argument, emotions can run high and cloud your judgment. It’s crucial to take a step back and let your feelings settle before attempting to reconcile.
Cooling off allows you to approach the situation with a clearer mind and better communication skills. By giving yourself time to calm down, you ensure that you address the issue thoughtfully and constructively.
Dig Deeper
If you want to make amends with a good friend after a big fight, start by digging deep into the root cause of the conflict. Instead of dwelling on heated reactions, reflect on what truly triggered the disagreement.
Understanding the underlying issues can illuminate the path to resolution. Once you grasp the “whys,” finding common ground and healing the rift becomes much more manageable.
Find Out Your Mistake
Most of us find it easy to point fingers when conflicts arise, but the first step in a sincere apology is owning up to your own role in the situation. Recognizing your mistakes, whether through actions, words, or omissions, shows maturity and self-awareness.
This doesn’t mean you have to take all the blame, but acknowledging how you contributed to the problem is crucial for genuine resolution and repair of relationships.
Talk to your friend
Make sure that when you apologize, you talk to your friend in person. Refrain from texting, as a face-to-face meeting can convey your true emotions more effectively. Your friend will be able to feel and reciprocate those emotions better. If geography is a barrier, make a phone call instead; your voice communicates emotions better than a text message.
You might also consider a video call. Sincere communication helps mend relationships and prevent future conflicts. Keep conversations open and honest, check in regularly, and address small issues before they escalate. This approach builds trust and strengthens your bond.
Turn a New Leaf
Start all over again. Let go of past mistakes and grudges. Embrace a fresh start. This choice rejuvenates your spirit and offers new perspectives. It helps you shed old burdens and break free from negative patterns.
A fresh beginning ignites enthusiasm and opens doors to growth and happiness. Reinvent yourself. Turn a new leaf. Approach life with renewed vigor and optimism. Give your friendship another chance.
Time and Space
Like any relationship, friendship needs room to breathe, especially after a big fight. Give your friend the space they need to reflect and cool down. Everyone needs time to process their emotions. Pushing to resolve the conflict too soon might do more harm than good. Allow them the time to sort through their feelings at their own pace. Patience is crucial.
Don’t expect to fix things quickly; repairing a friendship isn’t as simple as fixing a broken faucet. It involves delicate feelings and emotions that require time to heal. Make sure your friend knows you’re ready to talk whenever they are, but let them take the lead. Remember, true resolution comes with patience and understanding.
Think from Their Perspective
When you argue or fight with a good friend, it’s easy to become so consumed by your own emotions that you ignore their feelings. The heat of the moment can cloud your judgment, making it hard to think about what they might be experiencing. To fix your friendship after a big fight, you need to step outside your own perspective.
Putting yourself in their shoes helps you see things from their point of view and understand their emotions better. It’s not easy to do when you’re upset, but it’s essential. By viewing the situation from their perspective, you can resolve misunderstandings more effectively. This approach not only clarifies their actions but also fosters empathy and helps mend the rift between you.
While it may be challenging to mend a friendship after a big fight, approaching the situation with empathy and patience can make all the difference. By understanding the root cause, owning up to mistakes, communicating sincerely, and giving space, you can mend the bond and turn a new leaf. Friendship, after all, is worth the effort.
Shivani Misri Sadhoo is an internationally recommended relationship Counsellor by world’s biggest and most trusted study and research-based foundation for couples therapy – Gottman Institute. She is trained on specialised key relationship counselling Skills from AIIMS, VIMHANS and various other reputed institutions. Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo, is also Certified for Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo is also a Certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner with specialised training and experience in the field of affairs/betrayals, trust issues, difficulty communicating, conflicting values, bereavement, grief and loss (affairs, separation, divorce, childhood) and emotional health issue (anxiety, social anxiety, fear, depression, low mood).
Currently, Shivani Misri Sadhoo is one of the top counsellors with the HIGHEST Success Rate with over 17,000 happy couples and individuals (based in India and abroad), who has benefited from her therapy. Psychologist and Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo not only practice independently from her clinic in Greater Kailash, Delhi, India but also listed on the panel of eminent hospitals like IBS Hospital – Institute of Brain & Spine, Express Clinic, Fortis (formerly) based in Delhi.
