I recently listened to two founders announce that they’re going their separate ways. They shared the news with me over a video call. They explained what each of them plans to do next and why they’re splitting. When they talked with each other about their long-term visions, they realized they’re headed in different directions. So they decided to “divorce” now, before their disconnect causes big problems. The split is amicable.

Building a company from the ground up is hard. Founders put so much of themselves into it that the company becomes their baby. When you have to separate from it, it can be hard and emotional. But founder splits don’t have to be horrible experiences.

If you’re looking for a cofounder but you’re worried about it not working out, or you’re considering splitting from your current cofounder, remember that friendly splits are possible.