Hey sweetie, I’m sorry to hear your bestie is being a pain. Here’s a test of your friendship: a real friend will put up with a little bad behavior from her BFF. Listen to her stories of summer fun, and be supportive, not catty. Here are three tips to get you through the next few weeks.

Remember your own summer fun

Maybe you feel a little outshined, but just 'cause you didn’t travel around the world doesn’t mean you didn’t have fun! Share your stories of sunning by the pool or sharing a picnic with a summer fling – it’s totally cool to share, just don’t brag or put down other people.

Stop the convo

If you truly can’t stand to hear another story about her trip to Spain or walk in the Grand Canyon, there’s an easy way to move the convo along—either change the subject subtly, or stop asking her questions. Eventually, her bragging will die down, and you can move on to other subjects, like homeroom teachers or classroom crushes.

Try to understand

Remember, she’s not boasting to hurt your feelings—she just wants to share things that are special to her. She might be bragging because she’s insecure, so do your best to lift your friend up, and she won’t feel the need to put you down.

by Sarah Goldberg | 2/1/2016