How To Break Up

Mar 5th, 2010

SEVEN TIPS FOR BREAKING UP WITH SOMEONE:

#1.)  MAKE HER THE FIRST TO KNOW.  Out of respect, never tell your friends you're going to break up with someone BEFORE telling your boyfriend or girlfriend it's over.

#2.)  FIND A NEUTRAL ZONE.  Try to find a neutral location where both of you will be comfortable expressing your feelings.  A park is great because you can walk and talk . . . or find a more secluded spot if you think someone's going to cry . . . or scream at you.

#3.)  END IT IN PERSON.  No matter how much it sucks, it's always better to break up with someone face-to-face.  That means never doing it over text, email, or the phone.

#4.)  KEEP IT SIMPLE.  There's no need to put anyone through a lengthy list of all the reasons why you can't stand to be with them anymore.  If you care about someone at all, they deserve an explanation, but save them the long-winded reasons behind exactly why and how things went sour.

--It's also important to let them know that the decision to split up is difficult for you too.  Just don't make promises you have no intensions of keeping . . . like saying you're going to call if you know you're not going to.

#5.)  GET THEM TO SEE YOUR POINT OF VIEW.  In all likelihood, you're not the only one that's felt the relationship going downhill. 

--Ask them if they've been feeling it too.  They'll probably have a few examples about why things haven't been working out.  Letting them talk it through will help them see why you brought the topic up in the first place.

#6.)   BE READY FOR TEARS.  For the guys, prepare yourselves . . . because chances are, tears will be shed.  Ending a relationship can bring intense emotion and she's not about to save you from seeing it all pour out at once. 

--If she DOES start to cry, be sympathetic, but don't be drawn in by the overflow of emotion.  Set up some plans with friends later that day so the breakup process doesn't get dragged out, and so you're not alone if you feel bad about what just happened. 

#7.)  DON'T CHANGE YOUR MIND.  There's a big reason why you made the decision to end your relationship.  They may argue, or cry, or "not understand," but stick to your guns no matter what.

(Ask Men)