The key to breaking up respectfully should involve speaking the truth, but you should not be overly honest.
Regardless of how sure you are about your decision, breakups always lead to difficult or awkward conversations. The person you are parting ways with might feel disappointed, sad, hurt, or be heartbroken. If you are the one wanting to end the relationship, you would probably want to pursue it in a gentle, sensitive, and respectful way. You would not want your ex-lover to get upset — and you would not want to feel guilty either. Here are some strategies that can guide you to break up in the kindest way possible.
If you want to end it, try not to drag it out.
If you have made up your mind, just carry it out without any further ado. Make a plan to see them in person and quickly rip off the Band-Aid. Give yourself a quick exit; deciding a firm deadline will help you avoid the need to rehash the same conversation over and again, as your ex-lover comes to terms with it.
Be truthful, but not brutally honest.
Tell your former lover the things that you like about them and what attracted you at the beginning of the relationship. Then explain to them the reasons why you wish to move on. But you must remember 'honesty' does not stand for 'harsh.' Do not point out flaws in them to explain why the relationship is not working out. Think about how you can sound gentle and respectful while being truthful.
Breakup in person and not over a call or text
While you were together, you must have shared numerous good moments with one another. So be respectful to those memories and break up in person. If you two live far away, wait for the time you two meet again. Breaking up on Facebook messenger or through texts may seem easy, but it is insensitive. Consider how you would feel if your girlfriend or boyfriend did that to you — unpleasant, right? Nobody deserves that.
Avoid being cliché
Do not go for cliché like, “You deserve someone better” when breaking up. Phrases like that seem like Hallmark cards that are often used while breaking up with someone. While severing the romantic ties, the least you can do is use your own words. Nobody is asking you to pen down an unspoken breakup soliloquy but at least make an effort to tailor a half-decent, concise and clear speech before leaving.
Your intentions should be good.
Let your former partner know that they still matter to you. Consider all the qualities that you want to show them when having this difficult conversation — like kindness, honesty, respect, sensitivity, and care.
Ending a romantic relationship — as tough as it sounds — helps develop our skills to be kind and honest during difficult conversations.
