Friends With Exes? Know If It’s A Good Or Bad Idea

A breakup or split with a romantic partner is often associated with bitterness; but a lot of people still need to understand that not every separation is bitter. Although the majority of people prefer not to be in touch with their exes after a breakup, there are few who remain friends even after splitting up. Sometimes breakups happen due to societal pressure or other external factors, where you realise that you cannot be with the person you intend to be with. If you call it quits before the relationship gets toxic, you can still remain friends with your ex. The biggest mistake people make is trying to keep the relationship together until it gets toxic. The moral grounds of being friends with an ex post-marriage can be a hotly debated topic. Overall, is it a good idea to be friends with exes? Psychotherapist Ambika Chawla answers this by saying that under certain circumstances, one can continue to be friends with their ex-partners. She says that particularly if the former couple had been longtime friends before turning lovers, they can rekindle their old friendship even after a breakup without any problem.

Ambika Chawla says, “Some people think that they should forget the romantic relationship completely. Due to this, their present happiness and peace are lost. And they are immersed in the thought of how their future life should be. That causes them a lot of anxiety.” Many young men and women who want to leave their ex-love are approaching Ambika Chawla for mental counselling. They believe that being friends with their formal lover may cause cracks in their present relationship or marriage. Ambika lists some rules for those who want to remain friends with their ex without disruption of their present life.

• Don’t compare your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend to the new person you’re dating.
• Neither of you should meet alone. It will make your new partner suspicious.
• Do not discuss your current relationship with your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend
• Similarly, do not discuss your past love affairs with your lover-turned-friend.