
Katlego Sekhu
After relocating to Cape Town for work, Anonymous was surprised to find that her best friend had moved in with her family without her knowledge. She feels uncomfortable about this and wants her to move out. However, she is not sure how to approach this situation.
“I introduced my friend to my family a few years ago. During this time we were able to have our friendship and live in different parts of the city. Often when we had family at functions she would be invited. I also included her in the planning. Three months ago I moved to Cape Town for work and only just settled in. I recently made my first visit home only to find that my friend is now living with my family full time,” expressed Anonymous.
“She has fully occupied a room in my house and playing family. No one told me; my friend nor my family. I now feel that my family has taken over my friendship and I have been excluded. Should I bother finding out what the reasons were for my friend to move in or should I just confront my friend? I feel she needs to move out. Am I wrong?”
Tips for Anonymous on how she can speak to her friend about this situation:
- Choose a time when they can both a[eak calmly and openly.
- Start by expressing how you feel. For example, “I was surprised and upset to find out that you had moved in with my family without telling me.”
- Ask your friend why she felt the need to move into your family home without informing you.
- Listen to and try to understand their point of view.
- Once you have both had a chance to share your feelings, work together to find a solution that works for both of you.
Read Next: “I saw my colleague’s payslip and she earns 3 times more than me”: The Blind Spot



