Friendship, feelings, clarity – these are words that play a significant role in many relationships. However, it is often not so easy to end a friends with benefits arrangement without misunderstandings and emotional conflicts. If you want to take this step, it is important to end things in a respectful manner and to consider your own needs.
A friends with benefits situation can be beneficial if both parties agree on the rules and boundaries. But sometimes feelings or life circumstances change, which can lead to the relationship no longer working. If you feel that it is time to draw a line, it is helpful to think carefully beforehand about how you want to approach the situation.
Self-reflection is key
Before you seek a conversation, take time for yourself. Consider why you want to end the friends with benefits relationship. Is it due to a lack of emotional connection, different life goals, or perhaps the desire for a stable relationship? By clarifying your own feelings and thoughts, you can communicate more clearly what you expect from the other person. Make sure to share these thoughts in a calm and appreciative conversation. This helps avoid misunderstandings and gives the other person the opportunity to present their perspective.
Conduct an open conversation
A personal conversation is the best way to clarify the end of a friends with benefits arrangement. Choose a quiet and familiar place where you can talk undisturbed. Be honest but also sensitive. It's good to be direct without being hurtful. For example, you might say: 'I've thought about it and realize that I'm looking for a different kind of relationship, which no longer works for both of us.' It is important to show the other person that you value the time spent together, even if you no longer want to maintain the type of relationship.
Clarity about the future
After the conversation, it is crucial to establish clarity about the future. Do you want to remain friends, or is it better to take some distance from each other? Each decision has its own pros and cons. Often, a little distance is needed to process the relationship and possibly find new ways. This can be a good opportunity for both of you to come to terms and to respect your individual needs.
Remember that it is completely normal to have vulnerable feelings. A separation, in any form, requires a certain processing period. You should give yourself time to feel your emotions and also show understanding for the reactions of the other person. Sometimes it helps to share with friends or simply take some time for yourself.
In conclusion, it can be said that ending a friends with benefits arrangement does not always have to be a reason for stress or headaches. If you handle important steps such as self-reflection, an open conversation, and setting boundaries properly, you can make the process respectful and amicable. It is important to communicate in a way that considers the feelings of everyone involved and leaves room for a potentially ongoing friendship. No one is helped if these topics are swept under the rug. The clearer you are, the easier the process will be for everyone involved. And remember: every ending also leads to new beginnings!
