Lesley Arfin is the kick-ass author of "Dear Diary" a long-time contributor to Vice magazine and one of the raddest girls we know. So it makes sense that we'd go to her for advice about boys, fashion and pretty much anything else we're not sure about. Got a question about love, relationships or that burning sensation? Ask Lesley. Dear Lesley,
I have a problem. I'm in love with my best friend -- a dude -- but he's not in love with me. He tells me I'm great and beautiful, but he doesn't have any interest in dating me (even though I know he is straight, and we have hooked up before). I've tried to move on by dating other people, but it doesn't seem to help. Nobody compares to him, and every time I see him my heart explodes into a zillion pieces. How do you get over someone you never really had?
Click here to read Lesley's advice after the jump.
Click here to read Lesley's advice after the jump.
This is a bad situation, period. The bad news is that no matter how hard you try, you're not gonna be able to get your BFF to fall in love with you. That's not to say he won't, but it won't happen on your clock and there's no secret to making this happen. The good news is that you can get over it.
First, don't hook up with him. I know that's easier said than done, but it seems like you're giving him his cake and letting him eat it too and all that. It might be hard to resist hooking up with him but in the long run it's just going to make your obsession grow. But listen, even if you do hook up with him, don't beat yourself up about it. It's fine. We all bottom out on the thing that drives us crazy in our own time, and eventually you will get sick of being in love with someone who doesn't love you back, but in the meantime just try to accept it and be aware of your actions and how they affect you. You will get another crush, and you will get over this one.
Try hanging out with your girlfriends and doing nice things for yourself. I don't think you should ignore him, but I do think you shouldn't make him your top priority. Usually when we put our needs above someone else's, that's when they start feeling you more anyway. If it's meant to happen, it will, and if it's not, it usually means something better is waiting for you just around the corner. Don't forget that rejection is protection. I hope this helps.
xx
Lesley
Agree with Lesley's advice? Disagree? Tell us in the comments.












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Wednesday 22 July
By Evon
I've got the same problem, really. I'm in love with the girl I grew up with and she knows I love her, but she's not gay and all that jazz. We're still best friends and to be honest, while it hurts sometimes, it's something I can deal with. We see eachother often, share our lives, go out to dinner, and she even lets me hug her and give her presents just because that's what best friends can do. I kiss her check sometimes, too. She doesn't particularly like it but only because she isn't fond of kisses, but she's never really stopped me. I know I'll always be in love with her, but's it not like life doesn't go on. We'll always be together, just not dating. I do have a bit of a jealous problem when other guys like her, though. But if they can make her happy, I will be, too.
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Saturday 25 July
By moriah
Thanks so much for adding you comment, Evon.
I have kind of a similar problem. But your comment helped me to not to be selfish and want the best for my bff. And at times it seems if I look for awhile I just find myself in a awkward position but when awkward moments come up we try to make the best we can out of it, so we just start on a convo that is light,enjoyable for him and I both so it helps.
Again thanks so much.
Thursday 23 July
By MURRAY J
i think the advice here given is excellent,, when i met my fiance i have now i was not fully over the one that used me in time i got over her this one really loves me fo r who i am
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Friday 24 July
By RyanC
I don't know...i think if you can't get over a guy the best thing to do is completely obsess over him, talk about him constantly, and maybe cyber stalk him and that hag who he befriended on facebook. Then years later you can look back on that period and think that you did everything possible to convince him that you're soulmates. Some will say you're crazy, but people thought Courtney Love was crazy and look how well that turned out. Thin and rich!
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Thursday 23 July
By stacey
you're an idoit
Wednesday 29 July
By Liz
Wow. This absolutely the dumbest move ANYONE could ever make in a relationship. You may have wrote this as a joke, but it, again, is the STUPIDEST thing anyone could ever do. What were you thinking? And I highly doubt anyone wants to be stalked by some person and I would probably regret wasting my life obsessing over someone when I could of been doing something to improve society. Any crazy person would probably not turn into Courtney Love anyways because there can only be one Courtney Love. And she still might be crazy.
Deal With The Facts.
Thursday 23 July
By raul ibanez
you sound like a bitch go get your own girl she's probably fed up with all that stuff and doesnt know how to tell you
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Thursday 23 July
By Kyle Bunker
I think that we've all had this happen to us at one point or another. I've tried to make things happen and usually everything (friendship included) just falls apart. It just sucks because usually that best friend gets you on a level that you wish a significant other would (maybe that's why it's so appealing to begin with). I guess for some people it could work out but I've totally learned my lesson.
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Thursday 23 July
By Cassie
Leslie,
I totally disagree because the same thing happened to me and I have been with my B.F. for 11 years on and off and he also lived with me for a while and i thought that when he went to live some place else he would realize how great I was and decide to date me but no such luck and now I just think love sucks period since I fell in love with my best friend and I didn't plan it to happen it just did and he's not in love with me at all and just wants to be friends, but some times I feel like this keeps happening to me and all the realionships I have had with men in the past and up to now have all ended very badly and I don't understand if I'm so great why I'm still single at 37 years old I'm just fed up with men whose lines are quote it's not you it's me which is totally bull shit how ever when my best friend was in other state he did start dating some one else and that ended and it was his best friend.
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Thursday 23 July
By Elizabeth Brady
That's great advice -- it's so true that things get better over time. Giving yourself some distance and being patient can help clarify the reality of a situation. Take care of you, and RESIST THE BOOTY! If he is really a good friend, he will respect your decision to cool down and lay low for a while.
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Friday 24 July
By Hot Alpha Female
Having hooked up with him, might be one of the reasons why things are so complicated with him right now.
So its best to resist the booty, respect his decision and respect yourself by not going there again with him.
Great advice!
Hot Alpha Female
Your Go To Girl For Dating Advice
Thursday 23 July
By SCARLETT ALEXIS
I AGREE WITH MOST OF WHAT YOU SAY, BUT I BELIEVE THIS YOUNG LADY SHOULD LOOK DEEPER INTO HERSELF; COULD SHE BE A WHINER, DOES SHE HAVE POOR HYGIENE, DOES SHE OR HAS SHE CONFIDED TO MUCH (SINCE THEY ARE BEST FRIENDS) REGARDING OTHER MALE INTEREST, PERHAPS THEY WAY SHE HAS EXPRESSED HERSELF REGARDING OTHER MAN HAS MADE HIM DOUBT ABOUT A MORE ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH HER, HAS SHE SET EXPECTATIONS WHICH ARE NOT REASONABLE AND HE CANT COMPETE WITH THAT, OR HE JUST DOESNT WANT TO BE MORE THAN JUST BEST FRIENDS, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST GIVING HERSELF A GOOD ONCE OVER AND DONT MAKE HERSELF SO AVAILABLE. JUST SAYING. SCARLETT
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Thursday 23 July
By badkill
as hard as it is Lesley is right, you have to move on. unfortunately he is your best friend and you probably connect on many levels but if he does not return the want/desire to be with you, you are wasting your time and energy. enjoy his company but do not wait around for him, you are only hurting yourself....good luck!
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Friday 24 July
By deadgrlsprstr
speaking as someone who's been in this situation, the second you realize he's never going to want to be with you and accept that, the whole thing, including the friendship, is OVER!!! You can try to still be friends you can even swear that you are still friends but in the end, you're not and it's not worth it to even try to stay friends because in the end you'll just be disappointed by the fact that nothing is the same and trust me it will NEVER be the same.
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Friday 24 July
By Hot Alpha Female
I would have to totally agree with you one this one. The key is acceptance. It like stops the pain IMMEDIATELY!! lol
Hot Alpha Female
Your Go To Girl For Dating Advice
Friday 24 July
By calis
Friday 24 July
By deadgrlsprstrNeutralReportPositiveNegative
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speaking as someone who's been in this situation, the second you realize he's never going to want to be with you and accept that, the whole thing, including the friendship, is OVER!!! You can try to still be friends you can even swear that you are still friends but in the end, you're not and it's not worth it to even try to stay friends because in the end you'll just be disappointed by the fact that nothing is the same and trust me it will NEVER be the same.
Amen to that gyrl.. omg as i was reading this i was so tempting to call up , email or text my ex since we broke up again last nite.. we broken up a few times but still tried holding on to your 4yr off /on relationship then tried friendship but you are right, we stll ended up acting like we were together and thank God we both decided to stop that and end on very good terms instead of having one of us hurt later on by someone actually moving on to someone else.. I mean we all know t his, u cant really stay friends with exs so soon but we sometimes forget or think we can..
Thanks so much for your words, this is actually helping me and will save your knowledge in an email to keep.
Friday 24 July
By Hot Alpha Female
Hmmm this is a really tough situation and in many ways it seems that this guy is emotionally unavailable for you.
Now I could go into all the "He's Just Not That Into" statements, although I'm sure you are already aware of this.
I would say that pining over him, or doing anything that is manipulative to get him to see you the way u see him is totally out of the question.
I would say that the best thing you can do right now ... Is actually go out there and really fall in love with your life.
I know it sounds generic and maybe you have even heard it before ... but there is nothing more attractive to a man ... than a woman who loves herself and every aspect of her life.
I can pretty much ganrantee that if you go out and do this, you will find fulfillment and happiness in your life ... that doesn't have to include him as your boyfriend.
Nothing hurts more than unrequited love .... So allow yourself time to heal ... and get rid of those imagined projections of what it would be like to be with him.
You need to accept that this is not the way he feels about you .... and come to a place where you are totally ok with that.
Goodluck girl, but I'm sure you have an exciting journey in front of you!
Hot Alpha Female
Your Go To Girl For Dating Advice
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Friday 24 July
By anonymous
this is so weird
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Tuesday 04 August
By pisslace
BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT. DATED MY BFF GUY FRIEND. IT TURNED OUT THE SEX WAS GREAT. THEN HE STARTED LIEING. I WOULD SAY GO FOR IT. BUT IT COULD TURN OUT GOOD OR BAD. ITS ALL DEPENDING UPON THE REALATIONSHIP.
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Wednesday 05 August
By Sam
that was good advice... I know your situation. ya know, loving your best friend. You need to make your self happy, because that is what he is doing. I know you have this deep feeling that won't go away but if sometimes you have to suck it up and try to be happy that he or she is your best friend.
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