It makes sense that after the demise of a relationship, you may still want to keep your ex in your life. Putting the kibosh on the romantic side of things doesn't automatically mean you hate each other, after all. "If you've gone through a certain part of your life with a particular person, you have a shared history," says Jane Greer, Ph.D., New York-based relationship expert and author of What About Me? Stop Selfishness From Ruining Your Relationship. "The connection with your ex also keeps you connected to certain highlights and significant times, and that's very meaningful."
Beyond that, a breakup might throw you for a loop because you suddenly lose your biggest support system. "This person is often your closest companion," says Stephen Snyder, M.D., a New York City-based sex and relationship therapist. "If you lose the relationship, you can also lose a big part of your social world." So yeah, staying pals can seem preferable to losing your BF and your BFF in one fell swoop.
With that said, there's a difference between having a friendly chat every so often and texting him good morning each a.m. Here's what each stage of being chummy with an ex means about you (and your new relationship, if you're in one!).
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