Listener, support system, guide, companion, cheerleader, partner in celebration (and grief) – a friend fulfills many different roles in one’s life. From sharing wins, achievements and major life moments to seeking emotional support in times of distress like professional rejections and breakups, friendships often prove to be a safe space to bare one’s emotions. But what if this enriching relationship doesn’t exist anymore? What if the friendship breaks up?

While pop culture has often highlighted the stages of a romantic breakup, there is not enough discourse about dealing with losing a friend, despite it being an equally, if not more, devastating experience.