Getting rejected by a friend can sting, especially if you two were pretty close. It can feel pretty confusing when he says he doesn’t like you but still wants to be friends. Separating your romantic feelings and your platonic feelings can be tough at first, but you can do it!

Here are 10 tips to help you navigate your friendship with a guy after he’s rejected you.

1

Take time to work through your emotions.

  1. You might feel angry or hurt after being rejected, and that’s okay. Let yourself feel your emotions, and be sad if you need to be. Don’t try to mask what you’re feeling or get over it too quickly, as that could cause you more pain in the long run.[1]
    • If you need to take a break from the friendship, that’s okay too.
    • There’s no timeline for how long it might take you to get over being rejected. Just let yourself feel what you need to feel for however long it takes.
    • Have less contact with them than before.[2]
    • Stop looking at their social media accounts for some time.[3]
    • Focus on other activities and yourself. Get back to doing things you like and learn how to be only a friend again to this person.[4]
  2. Advertisement
2

Try not to take the rejection personally.

  1. He didn’t reject you because he thinks you’re a bad person. Don’t take his rejection as an attack on you—instead, remind yourself that you two just aren’t right for each other. If he still wants to be friends, you’re obviously doing something right![5]
    • Focusing on rejection can be really painful. Whenever you start thinking about it, gently remind yourself that you didn't do anything wrong.
9

Pursue someone else.

  1. It might sound crazy now, but it’s the best way to get over someone. Put yourself out there and try dating other guys. You don’t have to get into a serious relationship—just try going out for coffee or hanging out at the park with someone new. The more you can focus your attention on someone else, the less you’ll feel for the guy who rejected you.[12]
    • Of course, you should never get into a relationship if you aren’t ready for one. It’s perfectly fine to stay single for a while and focus on yourself.
  2. Advertisement
10

End the friendship if you can’t get over him.

  1. It’s a drastic step, but it might be best for both of you. If you’ve tried the whole friendship thing and you still have strong feelings for him, remaining friends will only hurt you. You can distance yourself slowly or let him know outright that it’s just too painful to stay friends.[13]
    • You could say something like, “I know we said we wanted to stay friends, but I still have feelings for you. I need to take some time for myself so I can move on.”
    • Keep the possibility of friendship open. You might be able to reconnect in the future when you no longer have feelings for him.

About This Article

Nicole Moore
Co-authored by:
Love & Relationship Coach
This article was co-authored by Nicole Moore and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Nicole Moore is a Love and Relationship Coach and the Founder and CEO of Love Works Method, a private coaching and digital course service for women looking to find the right partner. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in body language and helping others take control of their dating life, attract a partner, and build a strong relationship. Nicole has been featured in numerous publications such as Cosmopolitan, Forbes, and USA Today. She also hosts Love Works with Nicole Moore, a podcast for modern women wanting love, dating, and relationship advice. Nicole holds a BA in Public Relations and Spanish from Syracuse University and a Certificate in Personal Coaching from New York University. This article has been viewed 25,388 times.
6 votes - 83%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: February 15, 2023
Views: 25,388
Categories: Dating
Advertisement