Can You Be Friends With Your Ex?

Don't we all want to be mature and act like nothing happened? But is that truly even possible after all the love lost?

Don’t we all want to be mature and act like nothing happened? But is that truly even possible after all the love lost?

First and foremost, it is important that you do not deny what the relationship meant to you. It will not help to rush through the feelings that are putting you down.

There are various reasons people break up, so being friends with an ex is not always possible.

"PSA: If the relationship was mentally or physically abusive, you should not be friends with your ex because your worth is more than that."

There need to be mutual respect between one another to gain a safe, healthy friendship. To find this, there are steps you should take to build this.

It is important to reflect on the relationship and realize the true reasons it did not work out. Was it because of different values? Character misinterpretations? Sexual relations? Remember that there is no need to feel pressured to be in a friendship with an ex if you don’t feel comfortable or don’t agree with their lifestyle.

Taking time apart is important. There is no need to start a friendship right after a breakup happens. Be patient. Letting everything cool off and take its time to heal will only help a friendship succeed.

Being on the same page as your ex is also important. Both people need to want to be friends and be ready. Setting boundaries and explaining what the friendship entails is also a great way to ensure that you both want the same things.

Ask yourself these questions to see if you are ready and able to be friends with your ex:

1. When you think of your ex, do you feel neutral about your feelings?

2. Are you over your ex and the relationship you had?

3. Would you be able to hang out with your partner without being intimate?

4. When you think about your ex with another person, are you genuinely happy for them?