Hlp plz I need to know if im on the right track?

Ok so i havent had a boyfriend in a while because i felt like i was ready to get back in a relationship if i still wanted to be with my ex so bad but now im over him i love him but im done moving on and so now im ready and i wanna move in slow motion with this but sometimes i feel like im too cautious and i'll make a mistake:( so i wanna be friends with the guy first how long should we be friends until we start dating? And how long should i wait to have with him? All "positive" no negative -ish pshhh