Have you ever been put in the hard place of being in between friend groups? A time when you are forced to move on from your old friends because of distance and are dreading having to start anew. You’re not really “in” with your new group of friends, but you have already started to grow apart from your old ones. As someone who has had the experience before, I would say there are a few rules one must follow when transitioning from one group of friends to another.

Don’t overthink it. Making new friends can be terrifying and completely overwhelming. It’s easy to get stressed about every detail of the process. It’s okay. Breathe. Your new friends are not going to think as far into it as you are. Chances are they already consider you a friend. They’re not perfect and neither are you. It won’t matter if you accidentally slip up a few times.

Be yourself. Acting like someone you aren’t just to impress others is not a good idea. It gives off the vibe that you’re two-faced and not dependable. Acting like your true self will give your friends the impression of what you’re truly like. If you really like that new One Direction song, don’t lie and say you don’t just to fit in with others.

Don’t Forget. In my case, the friends I moved on from were the same ones who I had grown up with. They were friends with me through all of our awkward stages. One of the biggest things to remember is to not completely forget the people who have stood by your side since day one. I know as well as the next person how busy life gets when you have to juggle school, friends and sports. However, keeping in touch with the people who have known you the longest needs to be a priority. Try arranging a lunch date where you all can get together and catch up again.

Trying to make the switch one group of pals to another can be very tough. It’s important to remember to act naturally and not stiffly or awkwardly. The best way to blend in with new friends is to stay true to who you are and be yourself.