Maybe they moved on? They woke up to your guilt-tripping ways and manipulative behaviour... you’re no fool. Sociopath, maybe? The silent treatment is your kryptonite?

Going through the same thing with my uncle.

I am like soooo glad I slipped loose
From you and youse

all the time. Sadly, this seems to be the situation here. That being said, freezing someone out with no explanation or communication is a childish and cowardly way to end things, especially a friendship of many years. That being said, they must have had their reasons - there's always two sides to the story. Accept that this relationship is over, delete their email/lose their number/block them on social media, then give yourself some time to grieve and space to start your own healing journey. Spend some time honestly reflecting on your own role in the demise of this friendship - acknowledging the mistakes you made, or the things that you could have done better. This will help you identify negative behaviours that are impacting both you and the people around you. See a therapist or counsellor if you need some help with this step. Finally, when COVID restrictions ease, consider volunteering in order to get out of your head for a while - it's a great way to meet new people and do some good in the community. You may even learn a new skill! It's always sad to lose a friend, but it happens to all of us from time to time - it's life. Best of luck to you!

The person told me it was all in my head so I provided details of what I recalled and I haven't heard from them since. At least I tried to resolve negative emotions and that's all I can do.

OP, please keep in mind that this is a terribly stressful time for everyone and it's possible their silence has nothing to do with you. People are overwhelmed right now with all kinds of things. Just give it some time and don't make assumptions. They could be going through something you're not aware of.

If they told you that they didn't want to speak to or see you ever again, and they never approached you after that to try and work things out, then you're right. You were always "no biggie" to them and they were only showing you what they wanted you to see them just so they could benefit themselves off of you in some way. They didn't show you who they really were, not until it actually mattered, and their true colors came out. Those that you didn't matter to, you shouldn't matter yourself over them now. They don't matter.

So why are you back ?
It appears you never tried to contact them from your post.
So why do you care about a lost friendship now ?
Maybe you've never really been lost or out of contact at all, catfishing your way.
Grow Up.

you wasted so much time and energy on waiting for acknowledgement. Maybe you think your friend knows but maybe not as we the reader don’t know the full details. What other grudges are you holding on to that’s making your life miserable? Too bad we aren’t all mindreaders.

most people say don't reach out if you've burned someone. maybe not reaching out is respecting that?

Sometimes when people are hurt, it takes them a long time to get over it. I don’t know your situation but, assuming that’s the case...

Then it’s not a lack of emotion but maybe too much emotion to be comfortable with dealing with right now. As one of the above posters said, with covid and it’s related stressors, folks have a lot going on right now, it’s quite probably not personal.

I am in this situation on the other side. Very hurt and not ready to talk. Still going to counselling, exploring spirituality and refinding my value system again after carnage of an ending a year or so ago.

I don’t want to talk to someone who hurt me when I’m still hurting. I’ll just tear them a new proverbial bottom. Because they actually meant something to me, I’d like it if we did actually meet in future, for it to be a positive conversation, about the good things we shared. They were a great love.

But I also want to feel like they’ve learned something from the experience. Currently, I don’t feel any changes from their side and I don’t wanna go there. I told them this.

Also I don’t feel I’ve changed enough. Maybe I’m still missing something. Thus the soul searching on my side too.

So. Alternative perspective. It may not be so black and white. But I agree with the above poster on pouring your heart into something like volunteering, looking into your part and then trying to move forward and engage in life as best you can.