This article was co-authored by Laura Bilotta and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. Laura Bilotta is a Dating Coach, Matchmaker, and the Founder of Single in the City, her dating and relationship coaching service based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With over 18 years of experience, she focuses on helping singles date more intentionally, encouraging them to let go of negative patterns so that they can attract the love that they deserve. Her experience, skills, and insights have led to thousands of successfully united over 65,000 singles through events and one-on-one matchmaking coaching sessions. She has been the host of The Dating and Relationship Show on Global News Radio 640 Toronto (AM640) for 6 years and is known as The Hookup Queen of Clubhouse; her popular singles club, Single in the City, has over 95.5K members who regularly join in weekly dating and relationship-focused rooms.
There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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Not looking for love? Perhaps you’re experimenting and want to avoid attachments, or maybe you’re really focused on your goals right now. You can still date or have a friend with benefits without catching feelings. We’re here to help you prevent your casual hookups from becoming a full-fledged relationship—and protect your heart from being broken. Read on to find out how to not catch feelings for someone.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
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Don't worry about losing your friend. Most people stay friends after a friends with benefits situation ends.[13]Thanks
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Make sure you both get tested for sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs) so you’re having safer sex.[14]Thanks
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Distance yourself from the person if you think you’re catching feelings. Spend some time focusing on someone new so you don’t risk falling in love.[15]Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about emotional detachment, check out our in-depth interview with Laura Bilotta.
References
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/why-bad-looks-good/201910/the-dark-side-casual-dating
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/how-to-navigate-friends-with-benefits
- ↑ https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-101-6-1239.pdf
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-name-love/202007/the-pros-and-cons-being-friends-benefits
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3613286/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-name-love/202007/the-pros-and-cons-being-friends-benefits
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3613286/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/me-we/201502/what-it-really-means-be-friends-benefits
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/how-to-navigate-friends-with-benefits
- ↑ https://smartcouples.ifas.ufl.edu/dating/having-fun-and-staying-close/101-fun-dating-ideas/
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/how-to-navigate-friends-with-benefits
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/from-fear-to-intimacy/202301/a-shrinks-take-on-dating
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23979784/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meet-catch-and-keep/202104/do-you-fall-in-love-too-quickly
- ↑ https://positivepsychology.com/psychological-distancing/