It is always hard to let go of the things that made us happy, and relationships are a great example of this. But trying to maintain a friendship with your ex after a break up can be a tough line to walk. The combination of your past experiences together, coupled with your future plans could make things difficult for one or both of the parties. Here are some things to keep in mind before you pursue a post-break-up friendship.

One Side Still Loves
Every break up has two sides. There is the side that initiates the split because they are done, and there is the side that wishes it didn't have to happen. This means that one side is still in love and would have continued on with the relationship. This is an obvious issue if a real friendship is going to materialize. Often times, the side that is still in love will gladly accept the terms of friendship just so they can keep their hopes alive. If you think this is the case in your situation, then you are much better off ending the relationship permanently.

Awkward Moments
No matter how much you think that you are your ex are just friends, there are still going to be invisible boundaries to your social interaction. Think about how you would feel if they began kissing someone else in your presence. Is this a situation you could handle? And even if you are comfortable with this idea, you also need to consider how your ex would feel if the situation was reversed. This is just one example of the potential awkward moments you could encounter. Even though these things are not supposed to bring on feelings of jealousy and guilt, the bond you built in your relationship makes it hard to avoid such emotional reactions.

Considering Your Future
It is understandable to spend some time thinking about your past relationship, but ultimately it is the future that needs the most attention. In most cases, the only way to move on is to leave the old situation behind. Trying to maintain a friendship with your ex just because it is the comfortable thing to do will only limit your options in life. There will always be a connection between you and everyone else will continue to associate you with your ex for as long as you let it go on. You may even miss out on other dating opportunities because outsiders might think you are still together. While separating yourself may make you feel lonely at first, ultimately it will open more doors for you in the future.

Being friends with your ex is never as easy as it seems. There are a lot of underlying emotions to consider, and what is right for one party may not be best for the other. Although some people manage to find an acceptable friendship balance with their ex, most others will find that it is easier to just move on.

But perhaps you're not comfortable letting go? If this is the case, then it may be time to focus on rebuilding your relationship. Visit http://getbackmyex.com for resources to help you win back lost love.