How to Break Up With Someone Using Style and Sensitivity

When the time comes to end a relationship, the way you handle the breakup often dictates the aftermath. If you are the person initiating the breakup, adopt an attitude of style and sensitivity to help ease the bad news and begin the transition from couple to friends.

Instructions

1. Understand breakup etiquette. Some people feel a relationship constitutes two dates. Others don't feel they're in a relationship until after several months. Psychologists recommend an actual conversation any time the relationship includes physical activity and intimacy.

2. Avoid text messages, emails, voicemails, letters or post-it note breakups. Always end a relationship with respect. When you don't give the other person a chance to respond, you're acting like a coward and not a sensitive person.

3. Stick to the facts. The relationship isn't working; don't drag up past injustices, argue with the person or go into negative aspects of their personality or character flaws. Don't place blame.

4. Evaluate the potential to remain friends. If one person continues to pine for the other's affection, friendship won't be realistic option. On the other hand, if the decision to end the relationship is mutual, friendship may be possible.

5. Plan a time for discussion. While holidays, birthdays and special occasions seem worse than any other time, there isn't a good time to breakup. Trying to spare feelings won't help your case, especially if the person asks how long you've felt you needed to end the relationship.

6. Be truthful. Even though it won't be easy to confess feelings for another person, you don't want your ex to find out from someone else. You also don't want a friend begging the breakup before you do.