You have seen it so many times in movies and series! "Friendzone", the great fear after every meeting. When someone says they're in this zone, they usually mean they want to have a more intimate, romantic, or sexual relationship with a person they consider "just a friend."
But prepare for a bombshell: the "friend zone" is a myth! Incredible, isn't it? Let's give you some time to understand it better.
We know it's really hard when you have feelings for someone who doesn't feel the same way about you. It's okay to feel disappointed or hurt. But the reason we call it my "friend zone" is because there is no "zone" that someone else can put you in. Every person has the right to decide who they love and who they will not meet or be in other relationships with.
If someone says they are in this zone, they usually mean they are to be "loved" as a "reward" for emotional investment and time spent as a "friend". They may think, "I've been such a good friend to you, so you must be my girlfriend!" Or maybe: "If I'm really good to her, she'll eventually want to be my girlfriend!"
The truth is that no one is forced to feel for anyone else, for any reason.
Just because you have feelings for someone doesn't mean you deserve their love and vice versa.
If you've expressed interest in dating someone and they've made it clear they don't want to date you, the healthy response is to respect their decision.
Trying to manipulate them into changing their minds or feelings by acting as a friend is not healthy. Being a true friend to someone means loving and respecting who they are and what they like and don't like, even if it means you don't get everything you want from them.
Again, it's understandable if you feel hurt by this situation. While you are processing your feelings, you may want to take some time away from this person.
If you feel comfortable, you can say something like, "I understand that you don't feel the same way about me, but I need some time to myself right now."
Focus on the things you enjoy – fun activities, passions, or just being with different people. Over time, you may find that you're happy to be friends with that person and continue to build a healthy friendship with them, or you may decide that it's best to move on. This is completely your choice.
