Friendship After Love. Is It Wise?

Navigating the Tricky Terrain of Post-Breakup Bonds

Photo by Jakob Rosen on Unsplash

Breakups are tough, aren’t they? One day you’re planning your next vacation together, and the next, you’re splitting the book collection and deciding who gets the dog on weekends. But here’s a curveball — what happens when you decide to stay friends with your ex? It’s like keeping a book you love but causes you a wee bit of heartache every time you see it on the shelf.

Now, you might be thinking, “But we ended on good terms!” or “We’ve been through so much together!” That’s fair. But weaving the thread of friendship after untangling the knots of a romantic relationship isn’t straightforward. It’s walking a tightrope where one misstep can send you tumbling.

Psychologist Suzanne Degges-White, in one of her insights, says, “Healthy friendships have an equilibrium of give and take.” However, post-romantic friendships are often anything but balanced. The scales could tip more toward one side, with unresolved feelings lurking like shadows in a sunlit room.

Statistics from a study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior reveal that almost 60% of adults have stayed friends with an ex at some point. But here’s the kicker: the reasons matter. Some folks stay friends out of security or unresolved romantic desires, while others do…