Wanting to be with someone who sees you as a friend can be a disappointing and sometimes agonizing experience.
Let’s discuss the best ways to approach this tricky situation.
What is the “friend zone”?
Some people flirt with their friends just for fun even though they wouldn’t want anything more.
Some people will happily talk to their crushes about the big shit they took this morning.
(Here’sour full guide on how to know if someone likes you.)
How to go from just friends to something more:
Get comfortable with rejection.
You’re also going to feel this way again about someone else, promise.
Make a move.
First things first: Have you actually made your interest in this person known?
If you haven’t tried a littleflirtatious volleyyet, start there to gauge the temperature.
Read the room.
Make your feelings known.
Sometimes the right move is simplytelling your friend that you have feelingsfor them directly and seeing how they react.
Let them know that they can take their time to think about it.
Here are some potential ways to say it:
Avoid pressure or badgering.
If at first you don’t succeed,do nottry, try, loop back and try.
If your friend tells you they aren’t interested in you, respect their answer.
Avoid pressuring them to change their mind or making them feel guilty for not reciprocating your feelings.
Prioritize their comfort, well-being, and agency.
It makes them feel safer around you and more likely to want to connect with you in the future.
Release your expectations.
After rejection from a friend you’re interested in, it’s important to reframe your mindset around them.
Be atruefriend to this person, without strings attached.
The key is to keep the door open while also being content even if nothing ever comes of it.
Don’t play games.
Don’t buy into it.
Flirt where appropriate.
Again, just double-check to read the roomif they don’t respond well to your overtures, ease off.
Pressure is not sexy.
Stay confident.
A person living a full and exciting life is always attractive, after all.
Take space from the friendship if necessary.
Let them come to you.
Let them come to you if that’s what they ultimately decide they want to do.
FAQ
Can you ever go from the friend zone into a relationship?
Lots of married couples started as friends before they realized they had feelings for each other.
They may very well change their minds with time, but it needs to come from them authentically.
Should you end the friendship after being friend zoned?
How do I change her mind about just being friends?
The takeaway.
You’ll just need to give them a little breathing room and let them decide for themselves.
