- Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods were photographed together in July.
- The former friends split in 2019 over a cheating scandal involving Woods, Khloe Kardashian, and Tristan Thompson.
Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods may be in their healing era.
On July 16, Mail Online published photos of the former friends leaving a Los Angeles-based sushi restaurant after meeting for dinner. Delish reported that time two dined at Park Sushi. The purported reconciliation shocked fans, who recall how the Kardashian-Jenner family excommunicated Woods from their social circle in February 2019.
—Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) July 17, 2023
The drama unfolded when outlets reported that Woods kissed Tristan Thompson, the father of Khloe Kardashian's children, at an after-party in February 2019.
After the revelation, Jenner and Woods' longtime friendship fell apart at the seams. Many fans believed a reunion was inconceivable, but Dr. Frederick Smith told Insider that friendship breakups don't mean the connection is irrecoverable.
"Even if it was a major breakdown, if both parties are willing to work on rekindling the friendship, they can come back together."
Smith, a psychologist who has worked in the mental health field for 15 years, shared how to rekindle former friendships and accept people for who they are — not who they used to be.
Smith said part of reconciling with a former friend is acknowledging the person you knew likely changed
According to Smith, there are reasons friends might break up, but the first step in reconnecting takes place when one party takes the initiative and extends an olive branch. If the friendship ended because of a disagreement — rather than being ghosted or simply losing contact — then acknowledging poor behavior is also necessary, Smith said.
In Jenner and Woods' case, a source recently told People's Esther Kang that Woods reached out to Jenner to apologize for "how everything went down and let her know that she loves her."
Smith advised being "upfront and sincere."
"If we know why a person is angry with us, then let them know upfront, like, 'Listen, I did X, Y, and Z. I should not have done that. I know it may take time, but please forgive me. I value our friendship,'" he said.
On the other hand, people who feel aggrieved in a friendship breakup have the responsibility to let go of any grudges. Smith said agreeing to fix a friendship while holding onto resentment can be unfair to the other party.
"We have to keep in mind that even though it's the same person, it's different. Perhaps they've changed. Perhaps they've learned from their mistakes," he said. "You don't want to go into a new relationship taking that same baggage. See this person for who they are now rather than who they used to be."
Two key components to fixing a friendship are rebuilding trust and dependability, according to Smith
According to Smith, it's essential to avoid falling back into toxic habits when attempting to rekindle a friendship that relies on trust.
"Trust allows us to be vulnerable with the other person because we know that whatever happens, this person's going to have my back," Smith said.
Being dependable, or "showing up," as Smith phrased it, is equally important.
"If they're going through some trials or tribulation, be that shoulder they can lean on," he said. "If they lost loved ones or are grieving over the loss of a relationship, be that listening ear for them. That means a lot to people."
Smith said some friendships can't be fixed, and that's OK
Smith said sometimes a friendship, despite best efforts, can "run its course."
"When it comes to that point, even if we really truly love a person, it may not be the best for us," Smith said. "We have to come to the point where we can say, 'Hey, I love this person, but they're better off without me. I'm better off without them.'"
Fortunately, there's a silver lining.
"Perhaps this friendship is ending because there's another friendship out there waiting for us," Smith said. "We have to make room for it."