health
March 1, 2026
My best friend’s ex is turning my partner against her. How can we heal our friendship group?
Things will get better in time, but it’s not your responsibility to resolve this
TL;DR
- A breakup between Ellie and Tim has caused a rift in a friendship group, leading to a 'boys vs girls' dynamic.
- Tim is confiding in the narrator's boyfriend, Will, about the breakup, causing Will to dislike Ellie.
- The narrator is caught between her best friend Ellie and her boyfriend Will, who is influenced by Tim's anger.
- Psychotherapist Hazel Hyslop notes this is common and advises against the narrator trying to mediate the entire group.
- Hyslop suggests Will might be insecure and catastrophizing, and that the couple should be allies rather than taking sides.
- An embargo on discussing friends while together and prioritizing the couple's relationship is recommended, along with seeing friends individually for a while.
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