Last year, a girlfriend of 5-6 years took me down in a venue that was personal and professional. And although we are in our late forties, we were assisting our teacher at an event. My friend was like a train running over me and others at high speed. It was bad! What I knew no one else on the team knew was that she had been drinking.  I knew because I was her roommate and this is a pattern with her.

The 'day after' this occurred, she was vicious to me - talking 'at' me and belittling me to no end. I could not wait to return home.

After expressing my feelings in a lengthy email, I wanted nothing more to do with her nor did I want her to know anything about me or what I was doing. This was my close girlfriend and yet one of the only people I have ever defriended. I defriend someone when I feel like I do not need or deserve to be treated unkindly by them, particularly after I have helped and in many ways and there is an addiction. For me it is time for some space and privacy from that person. It remains today, without even a little doubt, the right thing for me to do what I did - I hit 'Defriend'. Done deal.

Jane