"You may feel that you and your ex have known each other "ex"-ceptionally well in some ways, so why not keep each other in your lives? At the same time, though, such a friendship could bring some "ex"-tra complications and make your romantic life going forward "ex"-ceptionally harder if you are not careful. A future partner could even end up uttering some "ex"-pletives about you and your ex."
"Well, such a friendship could be an "ex"-ceedingly bad idea if you haven't yet fully processed what happened in that previous romance and effectively let go of feelings for or against your ex. Therefore, if the answer to any of the following ten questions is "yes," then you may want to put an "X" on any plans to be friends with your ex."
Maintaining a friendship with an ex can hinder emotional recovery and complicate future romantic relationships when unresolved feelings remain. Clear reasons—shared child care or essential practical needs—justify keeping contact; otherwise moving on is often healthier. Remaining friends while secretly hoping to reconcile or harboring resentment prevents closure and may encourage unhealthy patterns or jealousy. Evaluating motivations, acknowledging lingering attachment or hostility, and assessing risks before pursuing friendship helps protect personal growth and future partnerships. If compelling practical reasons do not exist and any answer to core introspective questions is yes, ending the friendship may better support healing.
Read at Psychology Today
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