How to End a Relationship the Right Way

How to End a Relationship the Right Way Relationships Spouses & Partners Print How to End a Relationship the Right Way By Anabelle Bernard Fournier Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD on February 01, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments.   Learn about our Medical Review Board Carly Snyder, MD on February 01, 2020 rawpixel/Unsplash More in Relationships Spouses & Partners Marital Problems LGBTQ Violence and Abuse When we fall in love, we often believe that the relationship will last forever. We always hope that this one is the one, that it will be different this time, that theres no way anything can ever happen to break you up. Except, sometimes those things can happen and you do break up. If we only look at the divorce rate, research shows it is around 50% (although measuring divorce rates is more complex than comparing marriages to divorces in a single year).?? Because they are not as closely monitored, it is also much more difficult to obtain rates on casual and common law partnerships that break up. Why and How Do Breakups Happen? Most of us enter relationships with the hope that we will never have to end them. Marriage, especially, is built on the premise that it will remain until death do us part. Common causes for breakups include personality differences, lack of time spent together, infidelity, lack of positive interactions between the couple, low sexual satisfaction, and low overall relationship satisfaction. Ending a relationship is one of the most difficult things we have to do. No matter where you are in the breakup process, knowing how to break up well can help make this transition smoother and less harmful for both partners. How to Break up the Right Way We say right way, but in reality, there is no right or best way to break up. Every relationship is different, and every person in a relationship is different. It is up to you to consider the personality, needs, and feelings of your partner as you read through this article and figure out how to end things. Understand that there is no pain-free way to break up. We all wish that we could end relationships without any hurt or pain. But no matter how broken the relationship is, officially ending it will cause pain on both sides. Once you acknowledge that there will be a pain, you can be prepared for the aftermath. Do it face-to-face. If youve ever been dumped by text or email, you know how it feels to be given so little consideration that the other person didnt even bother to tell you in person. Why do the same to another person? Your partner deserves the dignity of a face-to-face conversation. An intimate setting is arguably better, but if you are worried about your partner having a violent reaction, a public place is safer. Be honest but dont give too much detail. In general, people want to know why theyre being dumped. While youre terrible in bed or you lack ambition might seem like an honest answer, it doesnt really preserve your partners self-esteem or dignity. Using a reflexive sentence like I dont feel were compatible sexually or I dont think our long-term goals align anymore are nicer ways to express your feelings. Dont do a play-by-play of the things the other person did wrong or use clichés like its not you, its me. Do not give in to arguments or protests. If the breakup is a surprise for the other person, they might try to argue, protest, or give reasons why you should remain together and try again one more time. If you are at the point of breaking up, nothing can restore or revive the relationship now. Giving in will only delay the inevitable. Make a Clean Break Do not suggest you stay friends. Avoid saying lets stay in touch. To move on from romantic relationships, you need to avoid further emotional entanglements with the ex-partner. It might possible to be friends again down the road, but this is not the right time to consider this possibility. Express your sadness at the breakup and share some good things about your time together. Being dumped feels really bad. You can soften the blow a little by sharing some of the good times you shared together: You taught me so much about cooking and I am a better cook now, thanks to you, or something similar. You want to make the other person feel like they had a positive impact on your life despite the relationship ending. You may also want to say something like: I had hoped for us to grow old together and I am sad that it will not happen. It shows that you share some of your partners hurt feelings about broken hopes. Avoid turning the other person into the bad guy. Nobodys perfect. You have faults too, and turning your ex-partner into an evil figure is not helpful (aside from obvious instances of violence, but thats not the kind of relationship were talking about here). They may have done some bad things, like cheating, but they are human too. Its better to resolve your feelings around what they did (if they did anything wrong) rather than who they are. Give yourself time to grieve. Even if you are the one breaking up, there will be a period of heartbreak, sadness, and pain. Realize that you will also need to adjust to your new situation. Surround yourself with people you love, do things that make you happy, and remember that crying and feeling sad is perfectly okay. A Word From Verywell In any breakup situation, the most important thing to remember is to be kind and compassionate. Its easy to forget how the other person might feel when we are so caught up in our own emotions, but it is essential to avoid centering the entire conversation on yourself. If you reach out with kindness and compassion, things will be much easier for everyone.