Friendship with an Ex: When It Works and When It Just Prolongs the Pain

A breakup ends more than just a romance. Often the friendship ends with it too, because it was built on a closeness that no longer exists. The question "can we stay friends" is almost always asked too soon — in those weeks when it hurts and losing the person feels terrifying. The honest answer is this: sometimes yes, but less often than we'd like, and what decides it isn't the strength of feelings but the conditions.

What's Really Behind "Let's Stay Friends"

That phrase carries many meanings, and not all of them are about friendship.