When an ex says they want to be friends, it generally means that they value the connection and bond you shared during your relationship and want to maintain some level of closeness or companionship even after the romantic aspect has ended. However, the exact meaning and implications can vary depending on the individual and the circumstances. Here are a few possible interpretations:
Genuine Friendship: In some cases, it could simply mean that your ex genuinely values you as a person and believes that you both can maintain a friendly, platonic relationship. They may appreciate your friendship and want to keep you in their life in a non-romantic way.
Emotional Support: Staying friends might also be a way for your ex to have emotional support, especially if the breakup was amicable or if they are going through a difficult time. Having you as a friend could provide comfort and a familiar presence in their life.
Guilty Feelings: Sometimes, an ex might suggest friendship as a way to alleviate their guilt over the breakup. They might believe that staying friends will soften the blow or make the situation easier for you.
Hope for Reconciliation: In some cases, an ex might propose being friends as a subtle way of leaving the possibility of getting back together open. They might hope that by staying in contact, feelings could potentially rekindle in the future.
Regarding meeting up sometimes, it could be due to various reasons:
Nostalgia: Your ex might miss the moments you spent together and simply want to reminisce about the past.
Closure: Meeting up could be an attempt to find closure after the breakup, especially if there were unresolved issues or lingering questions.
Friendship Maintenance: If you agree to be friends, occasional meetups might be a way to strengthen and maintain that friendship.
Checking in: Your ex might want to check in on you to see how you're doing and ensure that you're okay, particularly if they were the one who initiated the breakup.
Testing the Waters: Meeting up could also be a way for your ex to assess if there are still romantic feelings between you two or if they truly see you as a friend.
It's essential to consider your feelings and emotional well-being in this situation. If you're open to being friends and think you can handle it without getting hurt or developing false hopes for a romantic reconciliation, then being friends might work out. However, if it brings you pain, prevents you from moving on, or makes you uncomfortable, it's okay to kindly decline the offer and prioritize your emotional healing.