First and foremost, be sure that your heart has genuinely healed from the breakup. Examine the scars and take the time to reflect on the emotions that once consumed you. Ensure that you have made peace with the past and are ready to embrace a new chapter of friendship without carrying the weight of unresolved feelings.

Evaluate your intentions behind wanting to be friends. Is it because you genuinely value their companionship and cherish the bond you once shared or is it driven by a longing to rekindle the romance or hold on to what once was? Be honest with yourself. Being friends should be based on genuine friendship, not a desperate attempt to cling to the past.

Assess your emotional boundaries and your ability to handle seeing your ex with someone new. Jealousy and possessiveness have no place in a friendship. Ensure that you are ready to support their happiness, even if it means letting go of any romantic notions.

Discuss your boundaries and what you both expect from the friendship. Transparency fosters trust and lays the groundwork for a healthy and authentic friendship.

Seek support from those you trust. Talk to friends or confidantes who can offer guidance and listen without judgement. Sometimes, an outside perspective can shed light on aspects we might not see amid emotions.

Above all, trust your instincts. If being 'just friends' feels right and brings a sense of peace, then go ahead with it. If there's any lingering doubt or unease, don't rush into it. Give yourself the time and space to make the decision that aligns with your heart's true desires.

With inputs from Niyatii Shah, relationship expert, intimacy coach, founder and president of Averti Education and Council of sex educators for social change. 

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