bit confused

LegacyUser

I’ve met a girl recently who I quite like, she funny, intelligent pretty and we’ve plenty in common; the problem is we both still have feelings for our exes.
Like we’ve agreed that we like each other after weeks of flitting about the obvious. But I gotta say I’m freaked out that we’ll makes a hames of a good friendship (we’ve been friends fer a few years) over this as I can see at least one of us ruining everything based on our exes.
Like I know full well that me and my ex are a long gone (six months or so) relationship but I kind of wanted to avoid girls after that cos well, my ex was about as perfect as I could imagine, she was everything I’d ever wanted and we were more in love with each other then we’d ever been with anyone before, and unfortunately stress and depression caused us to break up, an awful lot of which is sorted now but I don’t know. We don’t talk much anymore but we do occasionally and I know there’s still an awful lot of feelings there between us. I don’t think we’ve much chance of getting back together but I don’t want to get into another relationship till I know I’m over this one, cos this new girls really cool but I gotta say I don’t want to hurt her
And I am a bit of a mess.
that said I do like her and I know I'm pobably not going to get over my ex till I go out wth someone else

Victor

Then let both of you go into the relationship whatever it is with open eyes. Talk to her and explain things to her. Don't deny yourself a relationship or even basic human warmth and kindness because of what might have been. Sure, explore your old relationship if you want, but I don't think thats a reason to not have soemthing now.

Oh, and double character return please.

Wibbs

Victor put it well. Take the risk, but take it easy. There's no point in ruining what may be a good future by raking over the coals of the past. Take your time.

Overheal

Have to agree with these two. Sounds like a potentially nice double-rebound for the both of you. I wouldn't rush things either.

jenga-jen

Just be sure that your friend/potential new snuggle buddy is definitely coming from the same place as you if you intend going ahead with this.

Your feelings sound very unresolved re: the ex and if your friend isn't in the same place with their ex or has moved on even slightly more than you then your expectations could be quite different.

If you both feel this is worth pursuing have a bit of a chat about it (not in a Dawson's Creek/overthinking it into the ground type way) and check you're both thinking along same lines

But ultimately I'd agree with the other posters, don't deny yourself the right to be with someone else just because you've been hurt or unlucky before.

Good luck