When a friend hangs out with other friends but not with you, it can stir up feelings of hurt, jealousy, and exclusion. This is a common experience and normal to feel upset or confused about. Here are a few reasons why it happens and some healthy ways to cope with these feelings:

Understanding the Situation

• Friends have multiple relationships and sometimes want to spend time with different people, which doesn't mean they value you less.
• Sometimes friends forget to include someone or aren't aware of how their actions affect others.
• Feeling left out can also trigger emotions like jealousy or insecurity, which are normal but should be acknowledged and managed.

How to Cope

• Accept your emotions as valid and don't deny or suppress them; journaling or talking to someone you trust can help process feelings.
• Avoid assumptions about why you weren’t included; there may be reasons unrelated to you.
• Consider talking openly and honestly with your friend about how you feel, using "I" statements to express yourself without blaming.
• Explore meeting new people or engaging in activities where you can form new friendships.
• Take care of your self-worth by doing things that increase your confidence and happiness independently of the friend group.

When to Seek Help

• If ongoing exclusion is impacting your mental health, consulting a therapist can offer strategies to manage feelings and improve communication and social skills.

These steps can help you maintain perspective, improve your relationships, or find new ones that fulfill your need for connection.