Esther Perel Instagram – In the past, when a relationship ended, that was it. Most of the time you had no way of finding the person anymore. You had moved. They had moved. Yet, in the present day, we possess the capability to sustain connections, whether by choice or circumstance. I’m frequently asked the question, “When two people break up should there be an expectation of friendship?” Additionally, “Is this even possible?” This question has to be put in context, considering factors such as life stage, age, and the nuances of the breakup. And it’s important to allow for some time, a transitional period between the end of the relationship and the start of a friendship. Can people stay friends with people they once had a romantic relationship with? Absolutely. Can people do so in a way that is not threatening to their current relationship? Of course that too. The question is a question of trust, of mutual respect, of openness, and of clear boundaries. (Video credit: @thecut)