Undeniably, when you get into a new relationship, it does not mean you have to drop your old friends, no matter their gender.
Relationships that seek to alienate you from your friends are usually flagged as toxic and unhealthy and it’s true. Being in a relationship is not an agreement to reclusiveness. You should still have the opportunity to stay friends with your friends, and to live the type of wholesome, healthy life that likely attracted your partner to you in the first instance. Your partner – male or female – should feel secure enough to allow that.
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Your partner should be cool with you having friends but with well established boundaries. (LifeStyle.ng)
Now that we have gotten that out of the way; the question now is: what is the extent of closeness you can share with friends of the opposite sex when you get into a relationship? How do you navigate those friendships without causing a problem or disruption to your relationship, or making your partner feel some type of way?
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The simple secret is in boundaries and respect. When your friends understand that you are now in a relationship and they respect the new partner, there will be no room for misunderstanding. When your partner also respects the fact that your friends have a place in your life, he treats them accordingly and lets you have your moment with them.
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The first rule to keeping the boundary intact is understanding that your partner is your number one priority. (Modern Ghana)
If you really stay faithful to your partner and never leave a space for your partner to suspect that anything is going on, there is no reason why a rational man or woman won’t let you keep your friends and keep other healthy business and platonic relationships that make you happy.
In all these things, never forget that your partner becomes the most important to you once he or she gets into the picture. That’s the first rule to keeping the boundary intact.
Source: Lifestyle.NG