23 Signs Your Ex Just Wants to Be Friends

Going through a breakup can be a tough experience, and navigating post-breakup friendship with your ex can be even trickier. It’s important to recognize the signs that your ex just wants to be friends to avoid any confusion or potential emotional turmoil. In this article, I’ll go over 23 signs that your ex just wants to be friends, the positive and negative aspects of post-breakup friendship, and provide advice for navigating this delicate situation.

Importance of Recognizing Signs Your Ex Just Wants to Be Friends

Recognizing the signs that your ex just wants to be friends is important because it can help you set boundaries and avoid getting hurt. If you’re still harboring feelings for your ex and they only see you as a friend, maintaining a close friendship can be painful and hinder your ability to move on. On the other hand, if you’re both on the same page and only want to be friends, recognizing these signs can help you establish a healthy and enjoyable friendship.

Positive and Negative Aspects of Post-Breakup Friendship

Post-breakup friendship can have both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, maintaining a friendship with your ex can provide emotional support, a sense of familiarity, and the opportunity to continue shared activities or interests. However, on the negative side, it can also lead to confusion, jealousy, and the temptation to rekindle the romantic relationship. It’s important to weigh these factors and decide if maintaining a friendship with your ex is worth it for you.

Signs Your Ex Just Wants to Be Friends

Sign #1: They Initiate Contact Frequently

If your ex is frequently initiating contact with you, it’s a sign that they value your friendship and enjoy talking to you. This can be a positive sign if you’re both on the same page about only wanting to be friends. However, if you’re still harboring feelings for your ex, this can be a painful reminder that they only see you as a friend.

Sign #2: They Ask About Your Dating Life

If your ex is asking about your dating life, it can be a sign that they’re curious and want to know if you’ve moved on. If they seem genuinely interested in your well-being and are happy for you when you’re dating someone new, it’s a positive sign that they just want to be friends. However, if they get jealous or upset when you talk about someone else, it’s a sign that they still have feelings for you.

Sign #3: They Share Personal Information

If your ex is sharing personal information with you, it’s a sign that they trust you and value your friendship. However, if they’re sharing intimate details about their life or relationship problems, it’s important to set boundaries and make sure you’re comfortable with the level of emotional intimacy in your friendship.

Sign #4: They Try to Make You Jealous

If your ex is intentionally trying to make you jealous by talking about other people they’re dating or flirting with, it’s a sign that they still have feelings for you. This can be a negative sign if you’re not interested in rekindling the romantic relationship and can lead to unnecessary drama and pain.

Sign #5: They Want to Hang Out One-on-One

If your ex is consistently wanting to hang out with you one-on-one, it can be a sign that they’re interested in spending time with you as a friend. However, if they’re consistently trying to make plans with you that resemble dates, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you.

Sign #6: They Give You Compliments

If your ex is giving you compliments, it can be a positive sign that they value your friendship and want to make you feel good. However, if they’re consistently complimenting your appearance or flirting with you, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you.

Sign #7: They Apologize for Past Mistakes

If your ex is apologizing for past mistakes in your relationship, it can be a sign that they want to move forward and establish a healthy friendship. However, it’s important to make sure that you’re both on the same page and that the apologies are genuine and not just a way to ease their guilt.

Sign #8: They Still Text You Good Morning and Good Night

If your ex is still texting you good morning and good night, it can be a sign that they value your friendship and want to stay connected. However, if they’re consistently texting you throughout the day or sending flirty messages, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you.

Sign #9: They Talk About Their Future Plans with You

If your ex is talking about their future plans with you, it can be a sign that they value your friendship and want to continue to be a part of your life. However, if they’re consistently talking about future plans that involve only the two of you, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you.

Sign #10: They Still Use Pet Names

If your ex is still using pet names, it can be a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you. It’s important to set boundaries and make it clear that you’re only interested in a platonic friendship if this is the case.

Sign #11: They Get Jealous When You Talk About Someone Else

If your ex gets jealous or upset when you talk about someone else, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you. It’s important to set boundaries and make it clear that you’re only interested in a platonic friendship if this is the case.

Sign #12: They Still Have Feelings for You

If your ex is consistently showing signs that they still have feelings for you, it’s important to have an honest conversation about where you both stand. If you’re not interested in rekindling the romantic relationship, it’s important to set boundaries and make it clear that you’re only interested in a platonic friendship.

Sign #13: They Don’t Want You to Move On

If your ex is actively trying to stop you from moving on, it’s a sign that they still have feelings for you and are not interested in a platonic friendship. It’s important to set boundaries and make it clear that you’re only interested in a platonic friendship if this is the case.

Sign #14: They Still Flirt with You

If your ex is still flirting with you, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you. It’s important to set boundaries and make it clear that you’re only interested in a platonic friendship if this is the case.

Sign #15: They Bring Up Old Memories

If your ex is consistently bringing up old memories from your relationship, it can be a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you. It’s important to set boundaries and make it clear that you’re only interested in a platonic friendship if this is the case.

Sign #16: They’re Always Available to Talk

If your ex is always available to talk, it can be a sign that they value your friendship and want to stay connected. However, if they’re consistently reaching out to you throughout the day or sending flirty messages, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you.

Sign #17: They Want to Know Your Opinion on Things

If your ex is consistently seeking your opinion on things, it can be a sign that they value your friendship and want to maintain a connection. However, if they’re only seeking your opinion on things that involve the two of you or your relationship, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you.

Sign #18: They Try to Get Physical with You

If your ex is consistently trying to get physical with you, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you. It’s important to set boundaries and make it clear that you’re only interested in a platonic friendship if this is the case.

Sign #19: They Want to Keep Things Casual

If your ex is consistently wanting to keep things casual, it can be a sign that they’re interested in maintaining a platonic friendship. However, if they’re consistently pushing for a physical relationship or acting jealous when you spend time with other people, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you.

Sign #20: They’re Happy When You’re Happy

If your ex is genuinely happy for you when you’re happy, it can be a positive sign that they value your friendship and want to maintain a connection. However, if they’re only happy for you when you’re single or not spending time with other people, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you.

Sign #21: They’re Supportive of Your Decisions

If your ex is supportive of your decisions and wants to see you succeed, it can be a positive sign that they value your friendship and want to maintain a connection. However, if they’re only supportive of decisions that involve the two of you or your relationship, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you.

Sign #22: They Don’t Want to Lose You from Their Life

If your ex is consistently making an effort to maintain a connection with you, it can be a sign that they value your friendship and don’t want to lose you from their life. However, if they’re consistently trying to rekindle the romantic relationship or acting jealous when you spend time with other people, it’s a sign that they still have romantic feelings for you.

Sign #23: They Make an Effort to Maintain the Friendship

If your ex is consistently making an effort to maintain the friendship, it can be a positive sign that they value your connection and want to continue to be a part of your life. However, it’s important to make sure that you’re both on the same page about only wanting to be friends and that there are no mixed signals or confusion.

Conclusion

Navigating post-breakup friendship can be a delicate situation, but recognizing the signs that your ex just wants to be friends can help avoid confusion and potential heartache down the road. It’s important to take the time to heal and process your emotions before attempting to establish a friendship with your ex. Once you feel ready to move forward, make sure to communicate openly and honestly with your ex about your intentions and boundaries. Remember that maintaining a friendship with your ex can have positive and negative aspects, so it’s important to weigh these factors and decide if it’s worth it for you.

Also Read: Signs Your Ex Wants You Back but Is Scared