"Friendzone" is a term that means, "What you attain after you fail to impress a woman you're attracted to. Usually initiated by the woman saying, "You're such a good friend". Usually associated with long days of suffering and watching your love interest hop from one bad relationship to another. Verb tense is "Friend-ed." This was taken directly from Urban Dictionary.

The "Friendzone" is stupid.

The "Friendzone" implies that one person has the decision. I have "friendzoned" many people then. In high school, I had a few really close guy friends that admitted to me that they had feelings for me. While I was flattered, I didn't feel the same way so I told them I liked them better as friends.

This is where the premise of the "friendzone" is flawed. According to the definition above, just because I don't want to date someone they have to stick around as my friend to see me date other people. Do you see my point here?

If you like your friend and they don't return the feelings, you don't have to stay friends with them.

Whenever I didn't return the feelings and they still wanted to stay friends, I tried to remind them that being friends was their decision. If it is harder to see them dating and living their life, then leave. It is that simple.

You can't push feelings that are not there. Yes, you can wait around for years and through all of their relationships, but there is no guarantee of a relationship outside of your friendship. There is that one percent chance that their feelings will change, yet somehow people still find those odds likely.

The "friendzone" can easily be solved in five steps.

Step 1: Weigh your options.

If you can't stand the idea of losing that person, you can remain as friends. Would you risk a good friend to be in a relationship? You don't have to bring your feelings to their attention. It is normal to start having feelings for a friend that you're close to, but you get to choose how you use your newfound feelings.

Step 2: Be prepared.

So you have decided to tell them? Remember, they have a choice to give it a shot or walk away. Be prepared to know they might want to walk away. Just like you, they are entitled to an option to leave the friendship if it makes them uncomfortable.

Step 3: Congratulations! (If they returned feelings)

You now have a budding relationship! If they did not return the feelings, congratulations of being brave enough to speak up, but please skip to step 4.

Step 4: Choose your next steps carefully. (If the feelings are not mutual)

They probably said phrases like, "you are like a brother/sister to me," or "I cherish our friendship too much." This means they probably want to stay friends. Now is where your decision comes into play. If you want to remain friends with then, then stay friends. (WARNING: they may date/ begin to like someone else) Things may be weird for a while, but they will settle out. If you are not comfortable seeing them date other people, then move along to step five.

Step 5: Moving on...

I know it hurts to not have the same feelings reciprocated back to you, but you have made a mature decision to move on. Over the next few weeks, it is going to be awkward not seeing that person all the time, but you matter. Spend some time with other friends in this period of weirdness. Now you are one step closer to finding the right person!

These steps can either lead to heartbreak or a new beginning. Sadly, sometimes feelings are not mutual, but remember that it is your decision to stay friends. No more complaining about the fact that he/she is with someone else while you still like them. You are choosing to suffer instead of move on.