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Friend Zoned

The friend zone. The place where people are placed when they learn that the non-platonic feelings they have for another friend are not reciprocal. I’ve been friend zoned before and have put some great (and not so great) guys in the friend zone too. It’s an awkward position to be in, but it happens to the best of us. Some people don’t understand how and why it happens, but it happens. If you’ve been brave enough to share your true feelings for someone, good for you. But if those feelings aren’t reciprocated, do yourself a favor and move on. Especially if you and the person of interest are friends. I’ve seen people continue to pursue or wait around on someone they had feelings for, who had either verbally or clearly indicated they weren’t interested in a relationship beyond friendship. And because some people still struggle with this, I’m sharing signs that you’ve been friend zoned. Be informed.
·         If someone says, “You’re like a brother/sister to me…” they meant exactly what they said. Listen to what your friend is telling you.
·         “I just don’t have those kinds of feelings for you”
·         “I just want to be friends”
·         “I don’t want to ruin our friendship”
·         Avoidance.
·         Ghosting (a popular term associated with someone disappearing by no longer communicating or keeping in touch with you -- it's a coward move but it happens.)
      Being friend zoned isn’t the end of the world. Sure, your feelings and ego might take a bruise, but you’ll survive. Being honest and respectful is what’s most important, though. When I’ve had guy friends interested in something beyond friendship, I used to avoid them instead of being direct and vocalizing that I didn’t have feelings for them in the same way they had feelings for me. Sadly, some of those friendships ended and that’s fine. Not everyone handles things well afterwards. As long as all parties involved are honest and respectful, everything should be fine. Have you ever been friend zoned or put someone in the friend zone? If so, feel free to share your stories with me. I’d be interested in reading them. 
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