When a girlfriend says, "I just want to be best friends with you," it typically means that she no longer wants a romantic or intimate relationship with you and instead prefers to have a platonic, close friendship. This statement suggests that she wants to maintain a strong bond with you but without the romantic involvement.
Here are some possible reasons why she might express this:
Change in Feelings: Her romantic feelings for you might have diminished over time, and she now sees you more as a close friend rather than a romantic partner.
Compatibility Concerns: She might have realized that you two are better suited as friends due to differences in life goals, values, or interests.
Fear of Losing the Friendship: She values your friendship and is hesitant to pursue a romantic relationship in fear that it might jeopardize the strong bond you already have.
Past Experiences: Perhaps she has had negative experiences in romantic relationships and now prefers to keep a distance to protect the friendship.
Emotional Safety: Being "best friends" could signify a desire to have an emotionally supportive and comfortable relationship without the pressure and complications that sometimes come with romantic involvement.
External Factors: Changes in life circumstances or external influences might be affecting her feelings and decision.
It's essential to have an open and honest conversation with her to understand her perspective better. If you have romantic feelings for her, this conversation will allow you to express your feelings and also learn if there's any possibility of the relationship evolving back into a romantic one.
However, if she is clear about her desire to maintain a strictly platonic friendship, it's essential to respect her wishes and boundaries. It might be challenging at first if you had romantic feelings, but with time and communication, the friendship can grow and become meaningful in a different way.
If you find it difficult to be just friends and need time to process your feelings, it's okay to take some distance and take care of your emotional well-being. Every situation is unique, so listen to your feelings and needs while also considering her perspective and feelings.