Ending a Relationship
Sometimes relationships have to end. It’s usually not easy to end a relationship and it’s never fun, but if your relationship is causing you more pain that joy, it might be time to walk away.
How do you know when it’s time to end a relationship? I’ve been guilty a time or two of hanging on to a relationship long after I should have ended it because I felt like walking away would mean that I had wasted all of the time that I had invested in the relationship. I realize now that those thoughts are wrong. We learn something from every relationship that we’re in, so leaving one never means time wasted as long as we take what we’ve learned and do something with it. Staying in a relationship that you know will never lead anywhere IS a waste of your time – and the time of your partner.
Some signs that the relationship is over may include:
~ You and your partner are heading in different directions and it’s clear that you want very different things out of life.
~ You fight constantly and no amount of working on it or counseling seems to be helping.
~ You can’t agree on major life decisions. For example, you may want to get married and have children; he’s made it clear that he never wants children.
~ You have begun seeking a relationship with someone else.
There are many other reasons why relationships end, if you think that it’s time to end yours, take time to do some major soul searching.
Once that you’ve decided to end the relationship, you are going to have to tell your partner that it’s over. The mere thought of having to do this is enough to send some people into a full-blown panic attack. Women, especially, hate to hurt others. We don’t want to be the cause of pain for anyone. Unfortunately, if the time has come to end a relationship, you are going to have to.
Decide on a time to let your partner know that the relationship is over. Make sure that you clearly lay out your reasons for ending the relationship and then stick by your decision. It’s going to be difficult and if your partner is not ready for the relationship to end, he/she may try to talk you into changing your mind. Giving in at this point is only going to prolong the inevitable. Respect your partner enough to be honest with them. They might not like it right now, but they’ll respect you for your honesty later.
Expect to feel a great amount of pain. Ending a relationship hurts, even if you know it had to be done. You may be tempted to go back; don’t do it for the wrong reasons. Know that the pain will eventually subside – for both of you.