How can you stay friends with your ex?

Question

How can you stay as friend with your ex?

Cynicaldreamer · Accepted Answer

Let me ask you this: why do you want to?
How do you expect to get over them and move on if you stay friends?

I get that some people can and do stay friends after a breakup, but it's rare. Keep in mind they're going to eventually date other people. Are you okay with that? If so...

The best way to retain a friendship with an ex is first ask yourself, "Can I just be friends and not have any romantic feelings for them?"
Make sure you are COMPLETELY over them, and same with the other person. In other words, distance yourself from them: no talking, texting, or checking social media. And I don't mean a day or two either! Try a few weeks... take some space to move on.

See how that makes you feel. The next time you see or talk to them, try to start a civil conversation and see you both feel. If it doesn't feel forced or awkward? Voila! You can attempt a fresh start as friends.

Good luck. Like I said, there's a reason they're called "exes." Why would you want then back in your life?

BeeNee · Accepted Answer

I stayed friends with an ex, but we were friends many years before we started dating and when we broke up, the break-up was mutual and there were no hard feelings. This is what allowed us to stay friends through the years. We all need to focus on friends in our life who value us, care about us, respect us--and part of why you sometimes break-up is those things don't exist in the relationship with that person before or after the break-up. Those people don't need to maintain a place in your life as you will only continue to be hurt.

Fireguy17 · Accepted Answer

I am now friends with my ex wife.
We didn't talk to each other for over 20 years, then out of the blue she called.
She said that she had called but chickened out and hung up.
So now we message each other once in a while.
I used to see her about once a year when she went to visit her mother, but then her mom moved in with her, so she doesn't come up here anymore.
Nothing would ever come of it, unless I was single then I might go visit her, but otherwise we just got over the past.

godfatherfan · Accepted Answer

You don't. What would be the purpose in that? If it is over, it is over. If he didn't want to be in a relationship with you, and just wanted to be friends, he would never have asked you out. I would never be able to just "be friends" with a woman I dated. Makes no sense.

Guy13 · Answer

Why would you want too…Ex is an ex so let them be Xed out totally. Business is Business if children are involved.

Sirenboobzilla · Answer

Depends on the ex. I stayed friends with a few of them. Didn't work out in the romance department but work as friends. Other exes though can stay in the dirt

es20490446e · Answer

Most of the time you really can't, at least short term. Because at least one person is going to be emotionally invested in a relationship. Hence that will only cause pain to the other.

Lyndsielee666 · Answer

I’m friends with the one ex that didn’t abuse me but the relationship was in 9th grade and we were more friends than anything to begin with 😂

Drumlin2001 · Answer

In general I'd say you don't. Draw a line and move on. Different if kids invovled, have to keep it civil for them

SunnyRS · Answer

Just don't try to hard to be friends, when you were just friends before relationship it was because you didn't try to be friends you clicked and you became friends, just try to be normal and if either one of you can't then you won't be able to.

Nikki1989 · Answer

I like to remain friends with people I was friends with.

Anonymous · Answer

You could try taking a casting iron to his face, so you're not attracted to him anymore. Then the two of you can be besties! (As long as he doesn't know it was you. Get him in his sleep)

RockyHammock · Answer

End the relationship amicably and of its meant to be it'll happen. Keep on mind they're your ex for a reason

PainusNdeeAnus · Answer

I’ll give up a little tidbit probono  No man needs a female friend because when he gets a girlfriend if he isn’t a cheater he will stop talking to you

LiamJHayden · Answer

It can work if you get along great but you both realize that the romantic chemistry just is not there.

douride2 · Answer

For the most part I have never stayed friends with an ex.

Pterodon · Answer

You can’t and it’s not advisable. It prevents one from moving on and causes problems with future relationships

Anonymous · Answer

I'll paint his with nail polish so I'll see his as my best girlfriend

MrCommodore · Answer

You don't, that's a key rule.

spartan55 · Answer

Why would you want to do that?

Agape93 · Answer

It's not hard. I'm only not friends with one ex.

JosyJosy · Answer

Parting ways on neutral terms, no fighting.

AsaKyo · Answer

I mean, you don't

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Why would you want to do that

es_annie · Answer

You don’t.

SnowedIn · Answer

Why not?

In_Trance · Answer

You can't

iSensei · Answer

For me’ i can't

How can you stay friends with your ex?

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