How do you deal with the fact that you and your ex share a lot of mutual friends?

Nobody likes losing friends. Just be mature about it. You and your ex are allowed to have the same friends, and your friends shouldn't have to choose sides.

I deal with that fact by trying to keep it cool with my ex and don't let our personal feelings get in the way of our group of friends, if this isn't possible then it would be better for one of us to step away if it were to end up hurting the others.

It's okay! People have separate friends and you don't need to split friends between you and your ex, even if the breakup was bad.

Okay maybe we are not in good terms, but that shouldn't hinder us from seeing our mutual friends especially on occasions where both of you are invited. Just be civil towards each other. After all you were both a part of each others life and I'm sure that your love for each other might have gone but the love as a friend and the concern for each other will always be there. Don't hate, just love. :-)

when you hang with your friends ensure it is at different times that way you wont bump into each other and can spend time with your friends without feeling weird

For me, not only do I share the same mutual friends, but I am very close (consider them family) to a lot of his relatives! I must say that it gets better over time, but it was pretty awkward at the beginning. I just keep telling myself that they are as much my friends as his, and that they are important and worth it. It is always better to keep things civil, so I try and be the bigger person and say hi to my ex, to lessen the tension!

The people that are your true friends will remain no matter what. Try not to bad mouth your ex to your friends so they don't feel uncomfortable maintaining friendships with both of you.

why should be this a problem? breaking up happens! having things in common - or friends - can be easier sometimes than putting a distance between each other.

I try to keep things pleasant to friendly with my exes, but often having my friends be in the know of how I feel about my ex can help me in that they then know how to handle a post-breakup situation. If I want to avoid the person, I hang out with those friends when the ex isn't around, or if I don't want them mentioned, my friends know this.

It's hard at first to deal with the fact that they're often around in large group scenarios. I generally just talk to some of my closer friends in those kinds of situations. Otherwise, I make a point not to tear my ex down, simply because I would want the same for me from her. We just don't bring it up and generally it's okay.