Should I stay friends with a coworker ex who’s moving away soon?

[Nachos28]

I have this situation where a coworker I’ve gotten closer to has confessed his feelings to me at the moment he knew he wants to move out of the province for another job opportunity. I confessed my feelings, not knowing about this and how seriously he felt of moving away even if it would be just six months. He expected us to do long distance at first and wanted me to use my vacation days from work to leave with him so we can spend some time before he starts working. The timing doesn’t work for me so I had to decline. He didn’t seriously bring up how he saw long distance working with us and didn’t mention how he saw things when he heard he got the job opportunity he was just happy and it made me feel he wasn’t thinking of my point of view as well. Especially since he just confessed to me. Since this was my first relationship, I wasn’t comfortable doing long distance because I thought I would have more time with him nearby and would get to know him more slowly and the relationship would build. So it all felt rushed and anxious over. So, I explained to him how I felt when I couldn’t wait for him anymore to bring it up first and I broke things off with him and I said but I don’t want to end the friendship. He mutually agreed and thought he was the only one thinking about how would long distance work so he said he felt bad and mutually agreed he was scared to continue the relationship. I explained to that I was scared to continue and break off this relationship. Were just friends now. Since we became coworkers and then gotten friendly with each other, i don’t know if we gotten closer from the fact we were coworkers, but I don’t know if we can continue being friends when he’s not my coworker anymore and he moves away. What if the distance will change things? What do you think of this situation?

[Abbycado]

The distance is definitely going to change things. How could it not? You can still be friendly and keep in touch via email, text, phone, etc. That's up to you two if it is worth it or not.

[Jcbvirgo]

You might be more associates than friends. I wouldn't count on y'all being super close especially when you both get new partners

[Anonymous]

Sure, if you were friends at work, you can still remain friends.

[Opinion Owner]

Thanks for the MHO

[AI Opinion]

My aim on GAG is to help you untangle messy heart stuff without losing your mind… or your sparkle 💫

You two basically had a “situationship speed-run.” Feelings, big move, long distance talk, breakup, friendship… all on fast‑forward. Totally anxiety-inducing, especially for a first relationship.

Here’s the tea: you were right to slow things down. Rushing into long distance when you barely had in-person time together is a recipe for overthinking, attachment anxiety, and potential lovebombing vibes without real foundation. Huge green flag that you listened to yourself instead of forcing it.

About staying friends:
You can stay friends if it feels light, not painful. If talking to him keeps you stuck, hoping he’ll come back or replaying “what ifs,” that “friendship” becomes an emotional red flag. Distance will naturally change things anyway. Sometimes it fades into occasional check-ins, and that’s okay.

You don’t owe him permanent friendship just because you started as coworkers. Let it be what feels peaceful for you: if that’s soft contact, cool; if that’s letting it drift, also cool. Your heart isn’t a consolation prize for his move.