Ex wants me back, How do I say no?
I just got out of a break up about 2 weeks ago or so. I have gotten better and I'm not depressed. However, I did lose a bit of trust with guys and relationships. After my last break up I realized that I have not been single for 7 years and with this last guy, I had just had enough.
I want to be single and not have to worry about a guy hurting me. I'm not saying that I won't date again I just need some time to myself where there isn't the possibility of feeling that heartbreak again. I didn't have a problem with being single since it's what I wanted.
However, my ex boyfriend, which also happens to be the my first boyfriend, wants to hang out and give him a chance and just see where things go.
We dated for about 2 years or so then he broke up with me. It was hard but I moved on and met guys. I remember that back in the day I would have loved nothing more than to be with my first boyfriend but after experiencing how different guys treat me I have found better than what my first boyfriend offered to me. In other words, what was enough for me back then no longer is.
Meanwhile, he has been with other girls yet we have always kept contact and it's weird because I would always decided not to talk to him anymore but somehow he always comes back into my life. Still since I have been dating all this time he has been waiting for me for a couple years now. Now that I'm single he wants me to take a chance but I don't want to date and he doesn't want to be my friend. So it's either it leads to something more or he leaves my life. I really don't care if he does leave my life but it would be a shame since I don't like losing people.
How do I tell him no kindly and still keep him as a friend?