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The anticipated season finale of “The White Lotus” airing this Sunday is set to provide answers to its viewers. Central questions include whether Gaitok will confront Valentin, Piper’s intentions regarding her stay in Thailand, and, significantly, the identity of the character who meets their demise.
Alongside these dramatic arcs, audiences are keen to observe the conclusion of the girls’ trip subplot. Throughout the season, three childhood friends—portrayed by Michelle Monaghan, Leslie Bibb, and Carrie Coon—have been navigating their complicated relationship in a luxurious resort setting. For viewers who have endeavored to maintain a close bond with childhood companions, the tensions and challenges depicted are all too relatable.
The difficulty of letting go of long-standing friendships, even when paths diverge and values shift, raises an interesting question: Why is it often so hard to end ties with someone you interact with infrequently?
Experts highlight several reasons for this complexity. Long-term friendships may embody aspects of our past selves that we wish to hold onto. Additionally, these friendships can serve as a testament to our ability to nurture deep relationships over time, a trait many value in themselves.
‘It’s like trying to fit into an old pair of jeans’
Eman Almusawi, a therapist from A Better Life Therapy, notes that childhood friends remind us of enjoyable moments from our upbringing. The memories attached to these individuals are foundational to our personal narratives.
“When we try to move on, it can feel like we’re letting go of a part of ourselves,” Almusawi explains. “Connections with old friends are woven into our identity.”
Conversations with friends who live far apart often revolve around the past, touching on shared experiences or past relationships. While the aim may be to rekindle that once-close connection, such discussions can sometimes be forced and awkward.
“These talks can feel less like a reunion and more like trying to squeeze into jeans that once fit perfectly but now don’t,” Almusawi adds.
‘Who in the world wants to be a person who discards people?’
The endurance of long-term friendships is often perceived as evidence of one’s relational skills, according to Christie Tate, author of “BFF: A Memoir of Friendship Lost and Found.” Similar to how a lasting marriage is viewed as a success, a lengthy friendship suggests an ability to maintain connections.
“It reflects growth and change while still remaining tied to those people,” Tate remarks. “To experience a friendship’s end can feel like a failure in that regard.”
People may find it unsettling to consider themselves as someone who frequently loses friends, as this perception contradicts their self-identity.
“I want to believe that I have roots and lasting relationships,” Tate says. “The idea of being someone who can’t hold onto friendships conflicts with how I see myself.”
Even when it’s clear that interests and values have drifted apart, as depicted in “The White Lotus,” the discomfort of parting ways can feel more daunting than enduring a strained gathering.
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