The Friend-Zone

I can't believe I am actually about to write about this...but this is happening!

Oh, the joys of the "friend-zone!" We all have been there, and if you haven't, you probably know someone who has. That moment when you find the perfect person and they tell you that they will only ever see you as a friend. There's that best friend who will tell you about their relationship problems, and the whole time you are giving advice on how they will one day find the person who is perfect for them, all while giving subtle hints that that "person" is you. Then there's that person you have known forever and ever and you don't want to ruin your friendship by telling them how you really feel.

With all of this, I am giving 5 steps on how to overcome the friend-zone!

Step 1: Tell How You Feel

The first thing you have to do is get over this battle with yourself. Maybe you have feelings with your best friend and you don't want to ruin this friendship that has already been going really well. If they are truly your "best friend," don't you think that they would be mindful of your thoughts and feelings? Sure, they might not feel they same way, but if your friendship was really important to you before then it shouldn't have to change just because you spoke your mind. A friend will hear you out no matter the topic, and if they choose to freak out or change everything, it is simply their fault for not being a good friend.

Step 2: Friend>Nothing

So it happened, you have been friend-zoned! One thing you are going to want to do is distance yourself; you don't want things to be awkward! Don't. You obviously care for this person, so wouldn't it just hurt more if they weren't in your life anymore? A friend is better than nothing, and maybe a relationship just wasn't meant to be! Friendships are some of the greatest things in life, don't abandon it just because you are afraid of awkwardness. I'm not saying it won't be a tad bit awkward, but stop thinking of it as awkwardness! Life will go on, and with time, you guys can return things back to the way they have always been.

Step 3: Move On!

No, this isn't me saying go out for the rebound, this is me saying that it is time to move on! This right here is probably the hardest step, but it is possible. Like I just said, your life will go on! You can keep the other person in your life, but stop having your world revolve around them. Learn to stop focusing on just them, there are plenty of other things you can be doing besides trying to be with or impress this one person! Some things just aren't meant to be, and one day you will find someone 1000 times better than the person who you thought would be your "soul-mate."

Step 4: Stop Using the Term "Friend-zone"

Let's be real, what is the friend-zone even supposed to be? It seems to me like it was a term invented by people who were just too afraid to express their feelings. You may think that you are "stuck" in the friend-zone, but what is it that is stopping you from leaving? They don't like you back, and you need to accept this. You still are friends, and that is something you also need to accept. And if you are still stuck on Step 1 and haven't shared your feelings, there's always the hope that they do like you back! You'll never know if you don't get some courage and just go with it!

Step 5: Being "Just Friends" is Perfectly Fine

To them, being "just friends" is what they've always wanted in the first place! They are happy, so why shouldn't you be? I get it, you spent who knows how long picturing the two of you as a couple, and then when you realize it's never going to happen, it kind of sucks. But friends are people you talk to, hang out with, and have fun with. Just because you guys aren't in a relationship doesn't mean you can't be close friends. After awhile, you will forget that you ever had feelings for them in the first place. You may not be completely over them, but you need to try. 

So there you have it, my two-cents on life in the friend-zone! Hooray for forever giving relationship advice without ever actually being in a relationship! :)