Staying friends with your Ex?

[The Artful Dodger]

I think it all depends on the person and the circumstances of the breakup. Just from reading your situation, I don't think I would.

I really tried to stay friends with my last ex for the same reason: I still see something genuinely good there. But like you, the reason she broke up with me (and the way she did it) made me feel awkward around her, bitter at her even, despite feeling a mixed array of feelings toward her.

As cliche as it sounds, time heals all wounds. I'm open to talking to her again and being friends again, but if she doesn't want to, then I'm fine with it either way.

It takes a long while to achieve such peace and even though I care for her still, I don't care about her at the same time, meaning that I'm content to move on, with the hope I'm moving on to bigger and better things. But Rock is spot on in what he said. In the end, getting over the bitterness and the ill will goes a long way in being fully recovered. Not seeing that person facilitates this.

[Fireball Express]

There's only one reason to stay friends with an ex and that is to get some something-something on the side. If you're remotely still attached to her I wouldn't reccomend this.

Oh, and if you meet a girl who says that she's friends with some of her exes then stay away from her. Chances are that she'll cheat on you with one of them.

[Omaha Red Sox]

You can be friends with whoever you want to be friends with, but you have to weigh your advantages and disadvantages. If you're currently in a relationship or are looking to get into one, this could be a problem. One or the other, or both, could develop jealousies or you could start comparing the two unfairly. It's nice to have a friend who probably knows you very well, and you likely know her very well. So you have those two options to choose from. Seems most in this thread don't suggest a relationship and I'm one of those. It's a closed chapter so let it go. Be pleasant and kind if you run into her, but I wouldn't pursue something else. You'll only be on here asking for more advice on how to handle an even more complicated situation.

Also, a word of advice. Don't take advice from a magazine. They're only trying to sell you a magazine.