Moving from a situationship to friendship is a difficult process for obvious reasons. First, there’s a whole mix of emotions involved.
When you’re in a situationship, things aren’t as clear-cut as in a regular relationship. You might have developed feelings that are more than just friendly, and now you’re trying to switch gears.
It’s like stepping off a roller coaster and trying to walk straight; your emotions need time to adjust.
This article explores whether it’s possible to make this transition and how to navigate the complexities that come with trying to remain friends after a situationship.
What is A Situationship?
A situationship is like being in a relationship, but not really. It’s when two people are more than just friends – they might hang out a lot, text all the time, and even act like a couple – but they haven’t put a label on it.
There are no clear rules or titles like ‘boyfriend’ or ‘girlfriend.’ It’s kind of a grey area where you’re not just friends, but you’re not officially in a relationship either.
The thing with situationships is that they’re pretty casual. You enjoy each other’s company, but there’s no serious commitment or plans for the future.
It’s like taking things day by day, without really knowing where it’s heading. This can be fun and easy-going, but it can also be a bit confusing because you’re not sure what to expect from each other.
[Read: Why Do Friends Grow Apart? (7 Major Reasons)
Why It’s Difficult Staying Friends After a Situationship
Staying friends after a situationship can be hard because of the emotions involved. When you’re in a situationship, you’re more than friends, right? So, there’s often some feelings there.
When it ends, it’s not just like saying goodbye to a friend. You might feel sad, a bit hurt, or even a little lost. These emotions can make it tough to just go back to being normal friends.
Another reason it’s hard is because things can get awkward. You’ve shared some special moments together, and maybe even gotten pretty close. So, when you try to be just friends, it can feel weird.
You might not know how to act around each other anymore. Should you talk every day? Hang out like before?
It’s this uncertainty and the change from being more-than-friends to just friends that makes it challenging.
How do you end a Situationship and stay friends?
Ending a situationship and staying friends starts with a good, honest talk. You need to sit down and have a real conversation about how you both feel.
It’s important to be clear about why the situationship is ending. Maybe you want different things, or it’s just not working out. Being honest helps prevent any confusion or hurt feelings later on.
After the talk, give each other some space. It’s okay to take a break from hanging out or talking all the time. This space lets you both get used to the idea of not being in a situationship anymore.
It also helps to set some new rules for your friendship. Like, maybe you decide not to text late at night or to avoid certain topics that might bring up old feelings.
Setting these boundaries can help you move from being more-than-friends to just friends, without making things awkward.
[Interesting: 10 Reasons Why He Still Want To Be Friends After Rejecting You]
How to Remain Friends After A Situationship
1. Have an Honest Conversation
Sit down together and have an open chat about your feelings and expectations. It’s not about making things super serious; it’s more like checking in with each other.
You both need to agree that, yes, we’re moving from something-more-than-friends to just-friends.
This chat helps clear the air and sets the stage for a genuine friendship without any awkward misunderstandings.
2. Take Some Time Apart
A little bit of space can do wonders. After you’ve decided to just be friends, it’s okay to take a break from each other. This doesn’t mean you’re cutting ties; think of it as a cool-off period.
It allows both of you to adjust to your new roles as friends. This break can help you shake off any romantic feelings and come back to the friendship with a fresh perspective.
3. Set New Boundaries
Now, boundaries are super important. You both need to agree on what’s cool and what’s not in your new friendship. This might mean no late-night texts or dialing back on the flirty jokes.
Setting these limits isn’t about making things strict; it’s about creating a comfortable space for both of you where you can enjoy being friends without any confusion or mixed signals.
4. Respect Each Other’s Personal Space
Respect is key. You’ve got to respect each other’s personal space and feelings. This means being mindful about not crossing lines that you used to when things were different.
It’s all about understanding that your relationship has changed and being considerate about each other’s comfort levels. Remember, good friends respect each other’s boundaries.
5. Be Supportive, Not Possessive
Here’s a big one: be supportive but not possessive. Cheer each other on in life, but don’t try to hold onto the past. If your friend finds someone new, be happy for them.
It’s about wanting the best for each other as friends, not holding onto what you used to be. This supportive attitude can really strengthen your friendship and show that you’ve both moved on in a healthy way.
6. Keep Communication Open
Lastly, keep talking to each other. Communication shouldn’t stop just because your situationship did. If something feels off, or if you’re feeling uncomfortable with how things are going, bring it up.
This ongoing communication is what keeps the friendship alive and kicking. It helps prevent small issues from turning into big problems and ensures that you both remain on the same page.
FAQs
Do Situationships Ever Turn Into Relationships?
Situationships can sometimes turn into relationships. It happens when both people realize they want more than just a casual thing.
They start talking about their feelings and decide to make things official. It’s like going from testing the waters to diving in. But this doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, a situationship stays casual or ends altogether.
What Do You Do After a Situationship?
After a situationship ends, you might feel a mix of emotions, it’s important to give yourself time to process them. It’s also a good idea to think about what you learned from the experience.
Maybe you figure out what you want in a relationship or learn something new about yourself. And if you’re up for it, try to stay friends, but give it some time and space first.
How Long Should a Situationship Last?
There’s no set time for how long a situationship should last. It varies for everyone. Some might last a few weeks, while others could go on for months.
It really depends on what both people are comfortable with. The key is to be honest with yourself about what you want. If you’re happy with how things are, great! If not, it might be time to talk about it or move on.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Situationship?
Recovering from a situationship can take different amounts of time for different people. There’s no exact timeline. It depends on how deep your feelings were and how the situationship ended.
Some people might bounce back quickly, while others need more time. The important thing is to give yourself permission to feel whatever you’re feeling and not rush the healing process.