268. Did I Ruin the Friendship?

Welcome to The LDS Mission Podcast! Episode 268: Did I Ruin the Friendship? explores one of the most common questions I hear from preparing missionaries, currently serving missionaries, and returned missionaries after a relationship changes or ends. Whether it's a dating relationship, a friendship, a companionship, or even someone you're teaching on your mission, it's easy for your brain to search the past looking for the one thing you "did wrong." In this episode, I explain why our brains crave simple explanations and how that habit can leave us carrying responsibility that was never ours to begin with. We talk about why another person's actions are always driven by their own thoughts and emotions, why vulnerability isn't a mistake, and how to stop making someone else's response mean something about your worth. I also introduce one of my favorite analogies—"put it in the stew"—to help you approach relationships with curiosity instead of self-blame. Rather than rewriting your story or trying to become someone you're not, you'll learn how to treat relationships as information that helps you grow with greater wisdom, compassion, and emotional confidence. If you've ever wondered whether you shared too much, cared too much, or somehow ruined a relationship by being honest, I hope this episode gives you a new perspective. Episode 268: Did I Ruin the Friendship? will help you let go of unnecessary self-blame, trust yourself more deeply, and remember that healthy relationships are built by two people—not by carrying the weight of someone else's choices. As always, if you found this episode helpful, I want to invite you to subscribe if you aren't already, share this episode with your friends and missionaries you know, and write a review. I know this work will help LDS missionaries around the world and it would mean so much to me if you did. Until next week my friends.   00:00 – Introduction 00:54 – "Did I Ruin the Friendship?" 03:46 – Why Your Brain Wants a Simple Explanation 04:59 – Other People's Actions Aren't Yours to Control 07:20 – "Put It in the Stew" 09:28 – Curiosity Instead of Self-Blame 11:11 – Someone Else's Behavior Doesn't Define Your Worth 13:27 – Vulnerability Isn't a Mistake 16:24 – What Relationships Reveal 19:09 – Let Relationships Be Information 20:55 – Use Data, Not Drama 22:46 – Outro   Website | Instagram | Facebook   5 Ways to Process Any Less-Than Happy Mission Memories Article: HERE   Get the Full Show Notes and Text/PDF Transcripts: HERE   Free PDF Download:  Podcast Roadmap   Free PDF Download:  Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet   Free Training for Preparing Missionaries:  Change Your Mission with this One Tool   RM Transition Free Video Series:  3 Tools to Help RMs in Their Transition Home   Free Guide:  5 Tips to Help Any Returning Missionary   Schedule a Free Strategy Call:   Click Here