Should I still be friends with him? Advice?

[Anonymous]

No one ever talks about how hard it is for you to stay friends with someone you basically dated. My guy friend and I were basically dating (only he was too insecure to actually commit). He had an identity crisis which I felt I did not need in my life. He constantly wanted to change me as a person to fit his ego (broken and in need of validation). I am not insecure I could care less if no one likes me and I liked him exactly the way he was). We were polar opposites and he could not change me so it did not work out between us. I am not going to be someone that I am not because you want me to fit your fake aesthetic. Shame because he ended up dating one of my best friends (she is innocent) but she is way younger and maybe she will change who she is for him and listen to him to fit his ego. I have no hate for them at all. When he started dating her the entire transition was strange for both of us. Our friends are protective of the both of us but I feel they had picked a side when I stopped getting invited places and no one would hang out with me because they were too busy hanging out with him and his girlfriend. (mind you we are all friends). Basically our friend group isolated me because he was dating someone else. It took me a long while to be able to show up and forgive all of them for the way they basically cut me out of the group but now we hang out. However I limit my conversations with him and ignore him (which he does not like) he wants all my attention which he is not getting back ever. He wants us to go back to where we were haha. He invited me to hang out with our friends I politely declined which normally he could talk me into it and make me laugh I gave him the coldest look and left. When we hang out he tries to eavesdrop in my conversation with everyone and see what I'm up to trying to hope to spark conversation with me and see if we can get back to how we were but nope He talked to me once but it was awkward. Advice? Should I give him a chance?

[Anonymous]

Staying friends with someone who tried to remodel your personality to soothe his own ego isn't just difficult it’s usually a bad investment.

It’s telling that the group isolated you when he started dating your friend. While you’ve forgiven them, staying close to him keeps you in a social minefield where you are constantly compared to his new girlfriend your best friend That is a recipe for unnecessary drama.

You don’t owe him a reset just because he’s charming or can make you laugh. You’ve evolved past his identity crisis; going back to how things were would be a step backward for your own growth.

Maintaining polite distance being civil in group settings but declining one-on-one interaction is your strongest move. It protects your peace without making the friend group choose sides again.

Good luck.

[Xawyx-2]

Sure, it's always good to stay friends.

[In_Trance]

Move on