Even in the modern era of cell phones and instant communications, sometimes friendships begin to ebb and fade.

Whether it’s due to personal circumstances or interests drifting, it’s never too late to try to save a friendship – so long as you acknowledge it while it’s happening.

How to save a fading friendship

The first (if not the easiest) method is to talk. This is scary! It’s hard to bring up something so vulnerable when you feel a distance from your friend. Certainly, it feels easier to just let sleeping dogs lie. But if you bring up the elephant in the room, you remove the anxious anticipation, too.

Rather than lying in your bed at home going over reason after reason why your friend might suddenly hate you, you can put the issue to rest.

Talking about it is also a great way to close that gap. Your friend has probably felt the distance too, and may not know how to address it. By acknowledging what’s happening, you and your friend can begin to figure out how to bring you two back together.

Propose a change

Propose doing something you know you both still enjoy. Whether it’s antiquing on the boardwalk or seeing a movie with a favorite actor, going deliberately through the motions of something you know you both enjoy might spark some mutual feelings.

Deliberately show an interest in the things they’re doing. That doesn’t mean changing your own personality to suit them. But asking questions and taking an active interest in the other person’s hobbies is a way to show you still care, even if their love for something like competitive step-dancing isn’t quite your cup of tea.

Remember: a good friendship doesn’t mean you’re always alike. Just that you care for one another,.