When someone says they love you but don't want to be with you anymore or miss being with you but only want to be friends now, it can be a complicated and difficult situation. It typically indicates that their feelings for you have changed, and they no longer see a romantic future together. Instead, they value your friendship and want to maintain that connection without any romantic or committed relationship.
Possible meanings behind this statement could include:
Change of feelings: Sometimes, people's feelings change over time. They might have genuinely loved you in the past, but those romantic feelings have faded or evolved into something different.
Compatibility issues: Despite loving each other, they might have realized that the two of you are not compatible in a romantic relationship. Compatibility encompasses various aspects, including long-term goals, values, lifestyles, and emotional needs.
Personal growth: Individuals might undergo personal growth or changes that lead them to reassess their relationship priorities. They may be seeking something different in life and believe a romantic relationship with you is not aligned with their current desires.
Past experiences: Previous experiences, traumas, or relationship challenges may have influenced their decision to avoid pursuing a romantic relationship again.
Fear of commitment: Some people might struggle with commitment issues and may feel more comfortable maintaining a friendship rather than a committed romantic relationship.
Wanting to preserve the friendship: They might cherish your friendship and fear that a romantic relationship could jeopardize or complicate that bond. As a result, they choose to stay friends.
It's essential to take their words at face value and respect their decision. While it can be painful to hear, their honesty allows you to move forward and reassess your own feelings and desires. If you value the friendship and can handle being just friends without harboring romantic feelings, you can consider maintaining the friendship. However, if being friends becomes emotionally challenging for you, it might be necessary to take some space and time to heal before reevaluating the friendship later.
Communication and understanding are key in such situations. It might be helpful to have an open and honest conversation to gain clarity about their feelings and intentions while expressing your own needs and emotions as well. Ultimately, each person's journey and emotional response will vary, so it's essential to prioritize your well-being and make decisions that are right for you.