Friendship with my ex boyfriend is a problem for me

Sheryl writes, "I am 27 year old single woman. I made the mistake of rushing into a relationship with someone I met and liked very much at first but was completely wrong for me. I stayed single for so long before that to evaluate myself and my behaviors and not make mistakes like I had made in this past, and this time around I really learned a lot and don't plan on ever rushing into any relationship again. I realize a lot of what I should have seen from the start with my little 6 month fling with this person. The fact is that he is very immature (whereas I am not) spends money in ridiculous ways (whereas I don't), has a very unhealthy relationship with his family (where my bonds with family are strong and healthy) and the many psychological and emotional issues he displayed -- like telling me a month after we started dating that he had had numerous unprotected sexual encounters (resulting in myself running to my local health department!! I was fine thank goodness!!) and the final straw is when I caught him snooping through my mail, computer and my email. That's when I ended it all and told him to find someone else. I said I would be his friend but not his girlfriend. My question is can I actually have a friendship with this person who can't accept my decisions and keeps displaying unhealthy choices in his life? Should I end the friendship for the betterment of myself?"

Friendship with an ex is a distraction

You are a smart and intelligent woman born to do great things and in order to do those, you need people who will support your mission rather than distract and drag you down.

Regarding this ex-boyfriend of yours, I am glad that you realized your mistake. However, I do not believe in friendships with exes, unless you have children together (or in very rare circumstances if you have had a relationships for many years). Since that is not the case with you and you broke up with him not because of philosophical differences, but basically because he is a "loser," just tell him to go away. You have better things to do in your life and he will be a distraction. Plus, he may hinder your prospects of meeting another nice man.