What Is A Platonic Friendship And Do They Exist?
Many individuals experience friendships throughout their lives. Although the definition of friendship can vary between each person, it is often defined as a platonic connection. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states that friendship is a connection of one person to another through common affection or esteem.
What does "platonic" mean?
Although some friendships may involve a sexual or romantic component, many do not. In these cases, they may be called "platonic" friendships. Platonic is a word that stems from Platonism, a theory developed by the scholar Plato. It means the absence of sex or romance. Platonic relationships can be between friends, family, or strangers.
Platonic relationships and love
A platonic friendship may be a friendship that lacks a sexual or romantic component. For example, platonic friends may think of each other outside of a committed partnership and enjoy a connection where they do activities together, talk about their lives, or partake in affectionate, friendly actions like hugging.
Platonic friends may feel love for each other from a non-romantic place. For example, ancient Greek scholars defined several types of love. The love between friends or family was often called philia or storge. Philia was similar to platonic love, whereas storge was an unconditional familial type of love. Some friends may consider their friends part of their chosen family and could feel both types of love for each other.
Are platonic friendships possible?
Platonic friendships between individuals of different genders can offer unique perspectives, enriching experiences, and deep emotional connections outside the realm of romantic relationships for both people involved.
Many friendships are purely platonic, meaning they do not include sexual or romantic feelings or expressions. However, although these friendships are possible and exist, some individuals experience love or sexual attraction for their friends. Others may notice that their best friend is interested in them.
What should I do if my friend is in love with me and wants a romantic relationship?
It may feel conflicting if your friend is in love with you and you do not love them back. You might believe you could lose your friendship if you let them know how you feel or feel uncomfortable knowing you do not feel the same way. At times, these occurrences can end friendships.
Try to communicate with your friend about how you feel. Tell them if you're uncomfortable and do not feel the same way. You may want to give them time to process your feelings and decision. If they continue to make romantic or sexual advances when you have asked them not to, it could be an unhealthy friendship.
Although it might feel that you won't find another friend, there are many ways to make friends. Over time, you may find that your friend loses romantic or sexual feelings and can commit to a platonic dynamic.
If you are interested in your friend as well, let them know. If you're not interested in a committed relationship, you may be able to go on casual dates. Some friends decide to have a purely sexual connection with or without romance. Relationships can be what you're most comfortable with, so talk to your friend and discover how you can improve your connection in a way that feels healthy to both of you.
What should I do if I'm in love with my friend?
If you are in love with your friend and are unsure if they feel the same, you might choose to communicate your feelings toward them. If you struggle to communicate openly, consider writing a letter or message to spell out your feelings. Let them know what you'd be interested in going forward. For example, you could ask them on a date or ask them to be your romantic or life partner.
If your friend expresses that they are not interested in you romantically or sexually, accept their boundary. Let them know if you need any time to process the information. You might also decide that it feels too challenging to be in a friendship with someone you love. In these cases, talking to a professional therapist might be beneficial.
If your friend feels the same, you can plan a date or discuss the possibilities for your relationship going forward. Although your friendship might change, you could get to know your friend in new ways.
Will I lose my platonic friendship if we date?
When platonic friends fall in love, some may feel nervous that they will lose their long-term friendship with someone if they decide to start dating or have a sexual relationship. Although this can happen, open communication with your friend can be beneficial. Ask them what they would be comfortable with if your romantic or sexual relationship were to end in the future. They might also want to return to being friends in that situation.
If you commit to a romantic or sexual relationship with your friend, you could learn new aspects of their personality that you didn't see before. These could be positive or negative qualities, as people often act differently in committed relationships than in friendships. Like with any relationship, this could be an adjustment, and you may consider couples therapy or discuss these adjustments with your romantic partner.
Is the "Friend zone" real?
You might have heard of "the friend zone" in the past. This term often refers to a friend setting a boundary with someone interested in them. If someone wants the friendship to strictly be a platonic one and you feel your love is unrequited, respect their boundaries. Romantic and sexual relationships require enthusiastic consent. Using the term "friend zone" may cause your friend to feel uncomfortable, disrespected, or hurt, as they might feel that you believe they owe you their body, time, or discomfort.
Relationships are a two-way street. If someone is not interested in you as more than a friend, it may be rewarding to consider counseling or working through your emotions on your own time. Try not to guilt your friend or tell them they are unkind for not being interested in you, as love is a chemical process often out of our control. You should also remind yourself not to feel guilt, as you cannot help who you fall in love with.
If your friend sometimes partakes in romantic or sexual activities with you, knowing that you are in love with them, but they are unwilling to commit to you, it may be worth ending the sexual or romantic connection between you. Consider setting boundaries if you feel taken advantage of. Let them know you're not interested in an "in-between" relationship or "situationship."
How to improve a platonic bond
If you want to improve a platonic bond with a friend or group of friends, consider the following tips.
Spend time together
Friendships can be essential relationships and require commitment, like other connections. If you and your friend don't spend as much time together as you want to, consider setting up "friendship dates," where you and your friend partake in platonic activities together on a schedule.
For example, you could try the following activities together:
Bowling night
Movie night
Adult sleepovers with snacks and makeovers
A friendship jar, where you create hangout ideas and pull an idea each time you want to go out
Bar and karaoke night
Taking a trip together with no partners or kids
Trying a new restaurant
Combining your two families for a group outing
Going to a park or amusement park
Hiking
Swimming
Try to spend some time with your friends without others in your life, such as your partner. Although it can be fun to include everyone, your friendships are separate from other relationships, and your friends may also appreciate spending alone time with you to connect.
Set relationship limits
Set relationship limits with your friend to understand where you both stand. For example, you could outline that you are strictly platonic friends. On the other hand, if you have a sometimes sexual relationship, outline how that plays out. Do you only want to partake in sex in certain circumstances? Do you hope to keep romantic feelings out of your bond? You can outline how you want the friendship to go.
Communicate in platonic friendships
Like any relationship, friendship can require communication. Friends may disagree or have conflicts at times. If you feel hurt by your friend, it may feel tempting to end the friendship altogether. However, if you hope to commit to your friendships long-term, consider having an open conversation about how you feel. Try to actively listen when your friend discusses their emotions by not interrupting, listening to understand instead of listening to respond and repeating key pieces of what they say to make sure you understand them.
How to find new platonic relationships and friendships
If you are struggling to find good friends who are interested in a purely platonic bond, there are a few ways you might find new friends in addition to your existing friendships, including the following:
Joining a university club
Joining an LGBTQ+ club or meetup group
Entering online groups
Finding a pen pal online
Going to a blind friendship event
Attending events such as the fair, pride, or cultural happenings in your city
Going to a religious center or place of worship, such as a church or mosque
Volunteering
Join a local “friends wanted” forum
Joining a travel group
Going to bar events like karaoke night
Going to a support group
Attending a therapy group
Connecting with a counselor
For those who face conflicts or troubles in platonic relationships, it can be rewarding to talk to a counselor who can serve as a non-judgmental party, offer advice, and provide professional coping mechanisms. Whether you're in love with your friend, losing friendships due to non-platonic feelings, or experiencing a friend who is in love with you, there are methods to support you.
Many individuals opt for online therapy, as it is an often modern approach to treatment. With online counseling, you may choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions with a licensed therapist. Additionally, you can attend therapy from any location with an internet connection. Studies show that online therapy is especially effective for those experiencing isolation, loneliness, and depression.
For those interested in online counseling, several platforms are available for individuals, including BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers a vast database of online counselors specializing in various mental health topics.
Takeaway
How do you know if a friendship is platonic?
By definition, a platonic friendship is one relationship type that is not characterized by romantic or sexual elements or an ulterior motive of developing these elements in the future. Instead, platonic friends are simply people who enjoy each other’s company, appreciate each other for who they are, and provide mutual emotional support and care. If you have a sexual or romantic interest in or feelings for a close friend or they have them for you, your relationship is not technically platonic. Some relationships can start as platonic and evolve into something romantic or sexual or the reverse, while others are platonic throughout the entire length of the friendship.
What is the difference between friendship and platonic relationship?
Most friendships are platonic, meaning that they aren’t characterized by sexual tension or romantic feelings or activity on either side. However, some good friendships do have these elements. Although this is not a problem as long as both people agree, it does mean that their relationship no longer qualifies as platonic—as is the case with “sex friendships”/”friends with benefits” or romantic friendships. Regardless, all healthy friendships, whether platonic or otherwise, tend to be relationships where all parties care for and support each other.
Are platonic friends close?
“Platonic” refers to the type of friendship rather than the closeness level of the individuals involved. Platonic friends with a healthy friendship are those whose connection is characterized by mutual care, support, and enjoyment of each other’s company but without a romantic or sexual component. That said, platonic friends can be casual acquaintances who spend time together once in a while, good friends who have a fairly intimate connection, or best friends who interact frequently and consider each other to be one of their closest personal and emotional connections.
What are examples of platonic friends?
Platonic friends are any friends with whom you do not hold a romantic attraction or sexual relationship in addition to your friendship. Examples of platonic friends could include coworkers, neighbors, siblings, cousins, acquaintances, or close friends who you simply enjoy spending time with and who appreciate you for who you are, and vice versa.
Can platonic friends kiss?
In many cultures, platonic friends kiss each other on the cheek, for example, as a show of platonic affection. Beyond this, however, platonic friends who kiss typically enter the territory of exploring another kind of connection, such as romantic and/or sexual.
Can platonic friendship turn into love?
Many healthy platonic friendships are characterized by a common love for each other. The type of love, however, may vary. Platonic love is not romantic love or sexual love; it’s simply an appreciation for another person’s authentic self and a sense of care for their well-being. Some friends may feel this but could also develop romantic and/or sexual feelings for the other person. If the feelings are acted on, the relationship would, by definition, no longer be platonic. This shifting of a relationship dynamic over time is not uncommon, whether it’s from a friendship to a romantic relationship, vice versa, or some other path, as people and the way they relate to each other can evolve.
Do platonic friends have feelings for each other?
By definition, those who are “just friends” in the platonic sense do not have romantic or sexual feelings for one another. They do typically hold feelings of mutual care, respect, and affection, however.
Do I like my friend, or is it platonic?
A platonic relationship is one characterized by nonsexual, non-romantic care and affection for a friend. If you feel that you’d like to be in a romantic or sexual relationship with your friend instead, it may no longer be a purely platonic connection. Only you can decide what you feel about a friend and how best to characterize it.
Can a girl and a guy be platonic friends?
Yes, people of any gender can be platonic friends with each other without sexual or romantic relationships or feelings developing. The only requirements for platonic friends are that they enjoy each other’s company and show each other respect and care without a romantic or sexual element.
Can platonic friends cuddle?
Physical affection between platonic friends is considered to be pretty normal. Some platonic friends hug and cuddle while others don’t hold much physical affection together; it depends on each person’s personal comfort levels and the intimacy of the relationship the two have. Note, though, that touch that is sexual or romantic in nature between friends means that the relationship is not technically platonic.
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