How To Break Up

Breaking up is difficult even if you are the one initiating the break up. You don't want to cause a scene or be remembered as a jerk that broke someone's heart. Some relationships have to end but if you follow these steps you can break up with some style and consideration.

1. Find the right time. Unless you are breaking up at the end of a roaring fight you can take some time to plan the right time. Do not break up over email, text message or the phone. If you live in the same town then you should make the break up personal. Arrange to meet the guy and tell him in person.
2. Select a private place. Elaborate and dramatic break ups may look funny on TV but they are painful in real life. Instead of trying for the dramatic, opt for private. Go to the girl's home to let her know you are over as a couple. Or elect for a place that is isolated but that she can get away easily.
3. Make sure you both have an out. You may be thinking only of yourself when planning a break up but try to have some consideration. Don't break up with her after picking her up. If she doesn't have her own ride then she will have two choices, finding her own way home or sticking with you for a painful drive back to her place.
4. Speak slowly with a calm voice. Break ups made at the top of your lungs or in a crazy rush can be awkward and increase the hurt feelings. Instead take a breath then just express your feelings. Tell the person it's over without exploding, yelling or crying.
5. Be honest but not brutal. Don't give her some line about how it's not her, it's you or how you are both going in different directions. Clichéd lines make everyone unhappy. Don't take the other extreme and rant about all the awful things he did either. It no longer matters if he was cheap or if your friends hated him, there is no need to be mean.
6. Keep it simple. If things aren't working out, then just say so. Make a simple statement and apologize. This doesn't mean you are accepting all the responsibility, it just means that you aren't happy that things need to end.
7. Let the other person speak. Rudeness in any form doesn't make a break up easier. Don't just dump the information and dump the girl. Let her at least respond. Give her the chance to keep some self respect. She might just agree with you and the relationship can end with closure on both sides.

No matter which side you are on, a break up won't be easy. By following these steps you can break up with as little enmity and pain as possible. Just remember to avoid the clichés and avoid suggesting you can just be friends.