Q: Dear Annalise, I have been struggling with my friends. I love them, I really do, but they are starting to act like Regina from Mean girls. How can I keep my friendships while staying true to who I want to be?
A: I feel ya, girl. I think we all go through this at one time or another, and you just have to face the facts: people change. The question you have to ask yourself is: is it a good change? I have had times when I’m listening to someone who I call my best friend talk, and it’s like, “I don’t even know you anymore!” In the wise words of Carrie Bradshaw from The Carrie Diaries, “We’ve been friends for a long time. Maybe all it means is it’s been a long time because it certainly doesn’t mean you’re a good friend.” Don’t compromise your integrity for the sake of the friendship if the friend isn’t worth it. Step out of your comfort zone; the next time your friends say or do something you don’t like, tell them. If they stop being your friends because you were honest about how their actions were affecting you, maybe they weren’t actually that great of friends.