Hey everyone, I see that oneitis is often mentioned on here and some people offer tips on getting over it, so I'd like to share my situation and get advice.

I've known this girl for years, and she genuinely is my best friend and she would say the same. That's my problem with this, I should just distance myself and give it time and I'd be good to go, but I don't want to cripple the friendship that we have. I'd honestly say I've been in love with her for at least 3 years, and she was into me for a while, but nothing ever came of it. Now she's always around, usually not through my action because I'm trying to create the distance but she is a permanent part of my friend circle. I've talked to some other people in the circle about how I want to get that distance, and they agree its for the best, but I feel like I'm kicking her out in a way. I love the whole circle to death and they are great people who are not hurting my improvement, just my feelings for her, so I don't want to just dump them and find more friends like some might suggest. So seddit, what do I do?