Stop looking and realise?

I think that's because the person who keeps his/her friend in "the friend zone" is afraid of losing him/her, therefore not taking the risk of going out with him/her =)) It is pretty stupid, but sometimes it's best to stay friends then to lose contact after breaking up. There's always that 50% 50% that the other person doesn't like you back, or that if she/he does, then after the break up (if she/he or you break up with her/him,) you'll lose contact, also losing the great friendship you had before.