Post Breakup Friendship - is it possible?

You can't do it this soon. You need to take a breather. A couple of months of not hanging out or really talking. You have to make sure the feelings are gone or you will carry your romantic feelings into the friendship. Its hard. Because you were with that person for so long and they are your best friend. So, not only are you losing your girlfriend but you are losing your constant companion and your friend.

I think the best way to handle this is to spend some time completely away from each other before you work on a friendship. It's possible to be friends, but it will be easier if you wait a little while until your feelings toward each other are lessened and you have gotten used to the idea of just being friends. I would take a little time to not see or talk to each other, and once you are more used to the idea of being friends, go for it! I had a boyfriend of 3 years that wanted to stay friends. We were able to, but only because we did not see or talk to each other for about 2 months after we broke up. It gave us both time to get used to a new lifestyle.

I'm going through something similar, only it wasn't quite a long relationship. Finding that line between the sex, what worked vs the new, a friendship, is difficult. He's in a relationship, yet still lusts after me.

What I finally had to do, was get involved with another man or two and then ask him for advice on how to handle either the new relationships, or an admirer. It hasn't changed how he reacts to me, but the friendship has become easier for him. I've also made it clear, when we did hook up after the relationship that there was no promises other than a great night together. Being honest is perhaps the best thing you can do to move past this, and if the messing around is bothering you, then perhaps you need to figure out what you really want.

Once you figure out what you want, you'll make the right decisions when you are with her. You also need to make it clear that she should go after what she wants, and support her, as friends do. If she bolts, then you will need to separate yourself a bit until she can officially get over the relationship.

I was with my ex for 5 years. We broke up 9 months ago still messed around hung out and everything so I can relate. We decided yesterday no more just friends and I think it possible but neither one of y'all can have feelings for each other anymore or It won't work and y'all have to be serious about no sex.

I personally think it is nearly impossible. You have to conquer the awkwardness and just be her friend or else don't be her friend at all. good luck.

Quick answer, no.

I don't believe most individuals are capable of maintaining a friendship because it is difficult to simply turn on/off your feelings and emotions especially once someone starts dating another individual... especially if you kept a friends-with-benefits atmosphere.

It's possible to turn this into a friendship. The only way I know it is to fall back and give each other some space. If you guys continue to be around one another after such a long time of being together then you'll be tempted to try the relationship again which isn't what you want because if you broke up the first time, you'll do it again. Nature of the beast. You have to just not be around her for a while so you two can get over one another otherwise you WILL end up pushing her away when you hover around each other just enough to try again then end up breaking up again and pushing each other even farther away. Remember: Issues that caused the breakup the first time are still there, they don't leave. That's why you broke up in the first place.