Working up the nerve to ask a friend out on a date is hard, and it's even worse when he turns you down. If he's a good friend, maintaining your friendship may be challenging, but it's often worth the effort. Exes can be friends if they enjoy each other's company, says Patricia Farrell, author of the book "How to Be Your Own Therapist," in Cosmopolitan magazine, so an unreciprocated crush doesn't have to mean the end of an otherwise solid friendship.
Step 1
Give your heart a chance to heal before you try to hang out as friends. How long you need depends on how strong your feelings are for him. If you had a crush on him for years before you asked him out, you may need several months to recover from his romantic rejection.
Step 2
Stop flirting with him. If you were in the habit of making flirtatious comments, touching him playfully or otherwise flirting, change your habits so you can hang out together without things becoming awkward.
Step 3
Hang out in groups as you rebuild your friendship. If the conversation stalls or you start to feel awkward, you can talk to someone else without having to make a big issue out of your discomfort.
Step 4
Date other guys so that your friend doesn't become a substitute for a romantic relationship, recommends Elena Michaels, a marriage and family therapist in Santa Clarita, California.
Step 5
Avoid talking to him about your romantic life, which could be awkward for you both. Instead, talk about your shared interests and activities.
Step 6
Avoid talking to your friend about why you weren't the right girl for him. Ultimately, these kinds of conversations can make it hard to stay friends. Instead, write in your journal or talk to another friend if you feel like you need closure on your romantic hopes.
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