“Wow, you’re still friends with your ex?” That’s probably the hot question when someone discovers that you still have your ex’s phone number in your phone. Because it’s not very common to stay connected with someone previously romantically linked to you. Granted that the manner in which the break up had taken place determines the direction of the post-break up relationship, but realistically, not many break ups happen amicably. So, should you stay friends with an ex?
Should You Stay Friends With an Ex?
According to Ideal Introductions Professional Matchmaker and Relationship Expert Linda Prescott, it depends on how intense and deep the relationship was. “If you were in Love, the answer is no. You can’t move forward still hanging onto the past because it causes problems for both parties moving forward.”
This is especially true if you had a really strong connection and a very erotic sex life with your ex. It all just spells trouble because chemistry doesn’t always change. A study found that friendships between exes were more likely to have negative qualities, and less likely to have positive ones.
Is It Ever A Good Idea to Be Friends With an Ex?
Linda reveals that not all exes bring bad news. “If your ex was someone you only dated briefly, it is possible to stay friends,” says Linda. An ex from a brief relationship should not make it hard for you to move on because the connection did not get to an intense level. This also works if you’ve had a friendship with your ex prior to briefly dating them. It is completely different to staying friends with an ex with whom you’ve had a long term relationship. They were part of your life and when there is history, it gets complicated.
Who’s Your Ideal Partner? Take Our Free Compatibility Test!
As featured in:
About Ideal Introductions: Ideal Introductions offers a personalised service to people looking for love, offering one-on- one, face-to-face interaction, customised to an individual’s needs and requirements.
Ideal was established in 1991 and is a licensed, government-compliant agency that operates by a strict code of conduct. Being leaders in the industry, it’s easy to understand why Ideal has over 1,125 weddings and thousands of happy couples to their credit.
Over two decades of business, one thing has remained constant; at their core, people are social creatures who crave love and companionship. But not just any love or companion, the type you get with the right partner.
Professional Matchmaker Linda Prescott says, “We exist as a medium to help people find a partner that most compliments them; the people who engage our services are emotionally intelligent, realise the importance of a great relationship and are prepared to seek professional assistance to make it happen. And the results are clear!”
