Can You Remain Friends After a Breakup?

The two of you were great together. You laughed together, enjoyed each others company, and you seemed inseparable. Then, one day, almost what seemed like out of the blue, things changed. You broke up. Guaranteed that one of you said the infamous line, "we can still be friends." Is this possible though? Can two people who have been in a relationship with one another really be friends after they break up?

Well, it all depends on the individuals and how well they can cope with the obstacles that may come along with the new "friendship". For instance, what if your once significant other finds someone new to date? Would you be able to handle that? If so, then chances are you will have no problems just being friends. If, however, just the thoughts of him or her finding someone new makes you so jealous that you can't see straight, it might be best for both of you to not be a part of each others lives.

Also, would you be able to spend time with your ex without letting those old romantic feelings come to the surface? If so, then great, you've racked up another point in favor of being able to stay friends. However, if you find that every time you are around your ex that you can't keep those old feelings from bubbling up to the surface, then the whole "friends" thing is probably not a good idea. After all, friends are not supposed to want to kiss one another whenever they are in each others company.

Finally, if you can handle not seeing or talking to your ex on a regular basis, then the two of you will be able to be friends with one another without any problems. Let's face it, even the best of friends don't talk to or see one another every single day. If you can't handle that, and feel like you have to see your ex or talk to them on a regular basis, then once again, you probably shouldn't be friends. It just won't work. You can't see your ex or talk to them everyday if they are trying to move on with their lives. Nor can you expect to be able to move on with yours because no person you date will be able to put up with the two of you seeing or talking to each other that often; no matter how secure they may be in the relationship.

So, if you think you can handle your ex seeing someone new and bringing them around you, and you believe that you could be in the same room as them without your old feeling getting in the way, and you don't need to see or talk to them everyday, then, congratulations you have another friend. Unfortunately, if you can't cope with these possibilities, then the best thing for you to do would be to tell your ex that you are sorry, but you just can't be friends with them. Tell them that you don't want to be friends because you wanted to be something more and that you are sorry things couldn't have worked out differently, but that you wish them all the best.