A not so good friend: So, my friend recently broke up with his girlfriend because she moved away. I mean, they had the whole "long-distance" relationship for about a month, but he couldn't deal with it. He called it quits, and broke her heart. He feels really bad about it and I  have no idea what to do about it. He's been really depressed lately and he just isn't himself. How can I tell him he made the right decision? (I told him that I thought that the long distance relationship idea just wouldn't work out.) He's even thinking about some how getting back together. Help me!

Friend: Dear A not so good friend,

It’s hard to find those long-distance relationships that will last forever. It’s even harder to be the one caught in the middle of it when it ends. You aren’t anything close to being a bad friend and I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong(: Telling him your honest opinion of the relationship not working out from the start was just as it was – an honest opinion. It’s not called being a bad friend; it’s just stating what you believe and looking out for him. The truth may hurt but it’ll set you free, and that’s just what you friend needs.

It’s quite understandable that he’d be in a depressed state. After all, the girl must’ve meant quite a lot to him since they tried to keep their relationship even after she had moved away. But once that person is gone, things will change, whether they be big or small. In this case, the change was quite big considering that they broke it off. Right now, like any breakup, he’ll really need a friend by his side. A friend like you(:

Try to explain to him that this was, in fact, for the very best. After all, she’s moved on and so should he. Even though they make it seem like the couples in those Hollywood movies end up being together forever, it’s just a fairy tale so little of the world will ever experience in real life. In the end, it was he who broke it off and there must’ve been a solid reason as to why he did such a thing. Like you said so yourself, he couldn’t deal with the relationship anymore. The anxiety might’ve gotten to him and he called it quits. Try and reason with him and mention how even if they did get back together, they would either break up again for the same reason or things wouldn’t be the same like they were before.

Being by his side and letting him know that everything will be ok, is more than enough(: After a break up, everyone needs a friend by their side whether they admit it or not. Try and get him out of the house and go for a coffee run with some of your other friends(: Anything that’ll get his mind off of her will help and as soon as you see him smiling and laughing, you know you’re doing a good job and helping him get through this(:

So sorry I couldn’t reply to your letter sooner A not so good friend >< Wishing you the best with your friend(:

~(Chingu) 친구