It’s never easy to end a relationship, but everything comes to an end eventually. If you’re struggling to break up with your boyfriend, you need tips to do it the right way for both of you.
Do you want to break up with your boyfriend but don’t know how to go about it?
In most breakup situations, you’d love to be able to say that an honest, straightforward, and mature discussion about why your relationship is now over *read: it sucked* would earn the respect and understanding of your soon-to-be-ex boyfriend, but that’s rarely ever the case.
As most people know, maturity and understanding seem to go out the window when someone is facing rejection. This is an understandable reaction when not only your ego is being bruised, but you’re losing someone you care deeply for.
You might be the kind of person who wants to abhor their ex post-breakup. Or maybe you are looking to be sensitive to their feelings.
It could be because you respect them and love them as a person or simply because you don’t want the hassle of them trying to get you back. Either way, you want to end this relationship finally and politely. If that sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place. [Read: Signs you’re trapped in a troubled relationship]
Why is it so hard to break up with someone?
When we first get together with someone, it’s because we like them and see a potential future with them. After all, why would you continue to go out with someone if it didn’t feel like it could go somewhere?
Then after a while, you fall in love. And during that honeymoon phase, everything in the world seems perfect. You both are wearing rose-tinted glasses, and everything looks perfect.
But then, as time goes on, those rose-colored glasses come off. Suddenly, the person is not so perfect, and you start seeing their flaws.
Regardless, at this stage, most people stay together because, by that time, they truly love their partner. [Read: 42 red flags and signs it’s time to end your relationship and move on for good]
Sometimes people can overlook their significant other’s flaws, and sometimes they can’t. And if they can’t, then that’s when breakups occur.
However, that doesn’t mean that you still don’t have a bond with your partner. Whether you’ve been together for months, years, or even decades, you have spent a good portion of your life with this person.
You have had good times and shared great memories. There is a sense of familiarity with your partner that is comforting. Those are some things that are difficult to let go of. [Read: I miss my ex – why you miss them and 20 ways to forget them for good]
Another reason it’s difficult to break up with someone is that it’s the death of a dream. Not only are you letting go of a person you have bonded with and spent a lot of time with, but you are also letting go of the fantasy of happily ever after that you envisioned with them.
Those hopes that you had for your relationship are dying right along with your relationship. And when you lose that, your only option is to face the reality that you have to start over.
Starting over is not a challenging process for a lot of people. It involves a lot of discomfort and uncertainty. But change doesn’t always have to be a negative thing. [Read: How to move on from a relationship in a happy and healthy way]
Uncertainty can lead you to opportunities. In other words, the opportunity to find a new person who is actually a much better fit for you. But most people just focus on the negatives of breaking up, not the potential positives.
When to break up with your boyfriend
It’s a difficult decision to break up with your boyfriend. Even if you’re unhappy in the relationship, deciding whether to end it for good or ride it out to potentially better days is a hard thing to do. With so much riding on this one decision, you might be wondering when you should actually break up.
Here are some situations where you really should let him go.
[Read: Should we break up? 35 signs that it’s over and past the point of no return]
1. You’re fighting all the time
Relationships are supposed to make you happy. You’re supposed to be best friends with your partner, and the good times should be plentiful. So, if you’re fighting more than you’re enjoying each other’s company, that’s a bad sign.
Sure, conflict in a relationship is normal and inevitable. But if you both can’t find a way to work through your problems in a calm, loving, and productive manner, then it’s not a healthy relationship. You should find someone else who you are more compatible with.
2. You feel taken for granted
Sadly, as time goes on in a relationship, a lot of people get lazy. They don’t think they have to “try” anymore because they already “have” their partner. So, this results in them taking their partner for granted. [Read: The biggest and yet subtle signs you’re being taken for granted]
If you feel like your partner doesn’t appreciate you and you’re not being treated well, then that’s a sign that the relationship should end. Both people should feel grateful to have the other one in their lives. But if that’s not the case with you, then you should end the relationship.
3. You’re not yourself
Ideally, a relationship should make you a better version of yourself. Your partner should bring out the best in you and inspire you to improve yourself. Even if that doesn’t happen, you should be able to be who you are already.
But if you feel like being in this relationship makes you a worse person, then that’s a terrible thing. Feeling like you are a walking ball of negativity is not healthy, and it shouldn’t be tolerated.
Find someone else who makes you the best person you can possibly be. [Read: Why do I hate myself so much? Self-hate and what you can do about it]
4. You want different things
Maybe you get along just fine, and you’re actually in love with each other. But as the years go by, you realize that the two of you want different things out of life.
You might want to get married and have children, but they don’t. Or you might want to stay single and travel the world, but they are a homebody. If your goals and dreams don’t match up, then you are not compatible, and it’s best to end the relationship now before someone gives up their dreams.
5. There are red flags
If there is any form of abuse, cheating, dishonesty, or other negative behavior by your boyfriend *or even yourself*, then this is a huge reason to break up with him right away.
You should never tolerate that kind of behavior in a relationship. [Read: 23 reasons why good relationships end even if there are no red flags]
If these things are going on, then it is a toxic relationship. No one should remain in a situation where they are being abused, degraded, cheated on, or lied to. Have enough love for yourself to cut this person off and kick them out of your life for good.
Even if it feels impossible to get away from him, no matter how toxic or controlling or abusive he is, there is always a way out. There’s support out there for you.
6. You’re with him for the wrong reasons
Many people don’t like being single. So, if you’re only with your boyfriend because you don’t like being “alone,” then you should do them a favor and end the relationship. Or maybe they are really rich, and it makes you feel like other people think you’re a trophy girlfriend.
Regardless of the reason, if you’re with your boyfriend for the wrong reasons, then it’s time to get out now.
The only real reason you should be in a relationship is if it makes you happy and a better person. Any other reason isn’t good enough to stay. [Read: Reasons why you’re staying with the wrong partner]
How to break up with your boyfriend
In almost all relationships, the first breakup is never really the final one. It’s surprising but true. Also, just because it happens doesn’t mean it’s for the best.
Almost always, a girl dumps her guy. And then realizes that she misses him too much. Or he makes promises that he will treat her better this time. Or both of you feel too lonely and decide to get back together.
And one thing leads to another, and before you know it, the guy and the girl are back in each other’s arms and going through the same troubling issues all over again. [Read: How to break up with someone who loves you and not hurt them more]
Before you really try to figure out how to break up with your boyfriend, you need to ask yourself if a breakup is really what you want. It’s never easy to make up your mind, though, especially when you’re in a yo-yo relationship full of ups and downs.
The do’s and don’ts of how to break up with your boyfriend
We’ve come up with a perfect way to break up with your boyfriend, surely and painlessly. Use these do’s and don’ts if you want this break-up to be seamless and respectable. It can help you make up your mind and walk out of the relationship all cleaned up and happier too.
Do…
Let’s start with what you should do.
[Read: 28 subtle ways to get someone to break up with you if you can’t do it]
1. Think over what you want and why you want it
Before you understand how to break up with your boyfriend, you need to ask yourself three questions.
Firstly, why do you want to break up with your guy, and is that factor something he can change for you?
Is the damage done irreparable? That is if he’s done something that’s made you decide to part ways. Can you forgive him? Do you want to? [Read: 20 signs you should break up and throw in the towel]
And finally, are you really sure you want to break up? You need to be sure about this. Are you going to backtrack on your words again if he makes some promises about his behavior?
Finding true love is not easy. But most couples give up on a failed relationship really fast.
If you’re wondering how to break up with your man, first give a thought about whether you should stay in the relationship or whether you’d be happier being single or with someone else. [Read: Should I give him a second chance, or is it truly over for real?]
Are you really ready to give it all up and walk away, or would you want to get back into his arms again?
2. Make a list
You know the good times and the bad times in your relationship. Make a list of all the good things in one column and the ones you hate in the second column.
Now, again, ask yourself if you’re ready to break up. Try to recollect all the good and the bad times and weigh the pros and the cons. Do you still want to break up? If one list is longer than the other, that very well could make your mind up for you. [Read: Should I give up on him? 25 signs that he won’t change or be a good fit]
3. Take baby steps
While it may seem dishonest to start baby-stepping your way out of the relationship, this will make it a much easier blow to handle when you do decide to call it quits.
You need to subtly and slowly “wean” him off of your relationship. There is no reason to be rude or cruel in this situation. Simply start spending more time apart, and don’t be afraid to show you have distance between you.
This will make the breakup seem less shocking when it finally does happen. After all, you’d rather him sense it coming than be taken aback by a seemingly “out of the blue” breakup to what he thought was the perfect match. [Read: How to break up when he doesn’t want to – the step-by-step guide]
4. Think about what you’ll say and how he will react
Breakups are always emotional, regardless of whether you want them or not. So, you need to give a lot of thought to what you are going to say to your boyfriend when you end it. Not only do you need to think of what you’ll say, but you should also think about how you will say it.
What reasons are you going to give him? How are you going to phrase it? You should also think about your body language and how that will affect him too.
Do you think he will start to cry? Or do you think he’ll get angry and start saying or doing threatening things? Will he beg you to stay and reconsider? [Read: How to show empathy and learn to understand someone else’s feelings]
You have to be prepared for all outcomes. Have a plan for how you will react when you think of how he might react. The more you plan ahead, the easier the breakup will be.
5. Be direct
Women tend to speak indirectly to people, whereas men are more direct. Therefore, you don’t want to beat around the bush or give him false hope. Be as direct and honest as you possibly can.
Don’t say things like, “I think we should take a break,” because that leaves the door open for coming back together. He might think you still want to be together because you don’t say, “it’s over for good.” [Read: How to get your boyfriend’s attention when he’s ignoring you]
That’s why you need to think about what to say ahead of time, so you don’t lead him on. Practice what you are going to say to him with a friend.
An outsider can give a more objective assessment of what you are going to say to him. And they’ll be honest with you and help you find the right words.
6. Say it in person
It’s easier not to look him in the eyes and tell him that you’re breaking up with him. But you really should tell him in person, not over text or social media. It’s the mature thing to do.
Sure, it’s all so confusing. But here’s the thing. Just simply let him know you’re not happy. [Read: How to bring up something that is bothering you and fix it]
You’ve already mentally decided that a breakup is the best way forward for you. To be honest, all you’re looking for is a nudge to tip the scale in the breakup’s favor. So take your time on this. You’ve been with this guy for a while, had a lot of conversations, and now you feel like giving up.
If you do want to break up with your guy, you don’t really need to break up instantly. Even before thinking of breaking up, understand his feelings for you. [Read: Most important stages of a breakup and how to get through each of them]
If you’ve been going through a bad phase in your relationship and are contemplating a breakup, let him know that you’re unhappy in the relationship. Don’t tell him you want to break up. Just let him know that you’re not happy with the direction your relationship is heading.
Both of you are in love, and it would be unfair to spring a surprise on him out of the blue without really giving your relationship a chance. See if his attitude changes or if he takes an initiative to make you happy. [Read: How to make a guy realize he’s losing you]
7. Have good intentions
This may sound bizarre, considering you are breaking up with the guy, but you need to remember to be nice. Have good intentions, not only for yourself but for him too.
Yes, this is a man whom you are now done being with, but you still need to show him the respect and kindness you would afford any other human being, considering this is someone you gave your heart to and whose deepest secrets you’ve been privy to.
8. Be honest
When you break up with your partner, you need to be honest about what isn’t working. Don’t be brutal with the poor guy’s feelings but be frank enough that he won’t feel like you’ve left loose ends to cling to [Read: How to tell your partner that you’re no longer happy]
If you hide your issues from him, you’re only inviting him back to try and fix things later. If he asks if you still love him, you need to tell him no – at least not in the romantic sense anymore.
He needs to know that this is over, and there will be no repeat business. While this may sound harsh, this will be better for you both in the long run, as he won’t feel the need to chase you around for a second chance.
9. Two weeks’ notice in love
If a couple of days pass by and he’s still behaving like an annoying jerk, or you’re just not happy in the relationship no matter what, perhaps it’s time to move out of it. [Read: How taking a break in a relationship really works]
But here’s the biggest issue. This is where couples break up and get back together all the time. This is the one phase that needs a lot of attention.
To avoid the heartache of off-and-on relationships, don’t completely break up with your boyfriend. Instead, tell him you need a break from the relationship for a couple of weeks. Tell him you feel lost in the relationship and want to really think about whether you should stay in the relationship or not. [Read: How to feel better after a breakup – 22 steps to find your happiness]
A trial breakup isn’t really a nice thing to do, but if you’re afraid of falling back in love with him, this is a chance to experience love from afar and see if you can really live your own life without him. He would probably act nicer and stalk you often if he genuinely cares for you, or if he starts to realize how important you are to him. But this step is for YOU to find out if you really need him in your life.
Dipping your toes into the water is always a good thing to do before taking the plunge into the icy water, don’t you think? [Read: Does a break in the relationship signal the beginning of the end?]
10. Talk to him
You’ve told him you’re unhappy, and you’ve had a trial breakup, and things haven’t been looking up in love yet? Perhaps, you’re better off being single than with a guy who doesn’t care about you. He probably thinks you’re bluffing, or worse, he genuinely doesn’t care. Is one worse than the other?
Don’t be a coward and ghost him or break up via text. If you really want to know how to break up with your boyfriend, do it the right way. [Read: 69 signs your relationship is over or on the verge of ending for good]
Meet him face to face and tell him you need to break up. You were in a relationship, after all, and you must respect the love both of you shared. Telling him to his face that you want to break up is not easy, and it’s not supposed to be. But it has to be done.
Meet him in a place where you can have your privacy, and yet, a place that’s not too lonely. Even if you’re having a hard time walking away, you should be able to get help if the need arises. [Read: The breakup conversation – The exact words you need to use while breaking up with your guy]
He may try to convince you to stay in the relationship, but you’ve given this enough thought in the earlier steps. Stay firm and stick to your answer as hard as it may seem.
NOTE: Now, there’s one kind of relationship where the guy doesn’t deserve your sympathy, your words, or your concern. And that’s an abusive one.
If you think your boyfriend may react violently or harm you if you try to break up, ghost the brute, get all the help you can, and get out. [Read THIS: How to get out of an abusive relationship – the step-by-step guide]
11. Be prepared for strong emotions on both sides
Emotions are more than just crying. When someone is rejected, there can be a lot of different feelings, such as anger, rage, sadness, grief, and regret.
He will probably exhibit at least one, if not many, of these emotions. It’s rare that someone is just stone-faced and has zero feelings during a breakup.
Also, be prepared for you to have emotions too. Sure, you want to break up. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to reject someone and hurt their feelings. In fact, it’s terrible, and sometimes it can make you feel guilty. So, just be prepared for your emotions too.
12. Allow him closure
Unfortunately, at some point, you’ll need to have the closure talk, which can be both uncomfortable and painful for both parties involved. When engaging in the closure talk, be friendly and gentle but not lovable. [Read: Why the no-contact rule works wonders]
Don’t be overly familiar just because you feel bad for him. You both came here to talk about why it’s over, not to rekindle a spark. The less you lead him on, the better.
13. Have a plan to make space
Regardless of your living situation, you need to put some space between the two of you after you break up with him. You can’t just go ahead with life the way it was before you parted ways. If so, then why bother breaking up in the first place?
So, you need your own plan as well as one between the two of you to get some space. This is easier to do if you don’t live together because then you can just avoid seeing each other. But if you do live together, that’s a trickier situation. [Read: Need your space in a relationship?]
But you can still give each other space even if you are living in the same house. Don’t eat meals together or watch TV. Get out of the house by yourself as much as possible or stay in a different room. In fact, you should be sleeping in different rooms, just like roommates and not lovers.
14. Have a moving plan ready
If you live together, then you have to have a plan to move out. This can be more difficult if you both own the home or even if you are both on a lease of a rental. But there needs to be an endpoint.
You can’t just go on living together indefinitely because then why bother breaking up? Set a date for when one or both of you will be moving out.
Find another place to live, a roommate if you need one, and line up a moving van. Then, follow through with your plan. [Read: How to move on from an ex when the heartbreak is fresh and hurting]
15. Set clear boundaries
If your boyfriend was blindsided by the breakup, then he might want to try to act as if nothing has happened. Perhaps he is begging and pleading for you not to break up with him.
If that’s the case, then you need to set clear boundaries. Tell him what your rules are, and then enforce them, so he sticks to them.
If you don’t draw the line in the sand, he might cross them all the time. And after a while, you might find yourself back together with him, which you don’t want to happen.
16. If you stay friends…
If you’re on the route to staying friends and you think you’re doing a pretty good job, then there’s just one thing to keep in mind – don’t go on dates. [Read: Why does my ex want to be friends? 25 Qs and reasons to read their mind]
This may seem confusing at first since nearly everything can seem like a date: dinner, a movie, watching the game at his place, but you’ll learn to get the hang of it.
But you can do lunch – a friend’s lunch. Lovers do dinner. Hang out in social groups. This way, you’ll both still get to enjoy one another’s company while remaining in a safe environment.
Remember, don’t do things like rest your head on his shoulder, let him pay for meals or outings, or hang out alone. [Read: Can you truly be friends with an ex?]
And the number one, never ever do this rule: Never have break-up sex. Break-up sex leads to one of two things: a relationship resuscitation or an impossible-to-keep friends-with-benefits situation. Do both yourself and your ex a favor and avoid unnecessary drama.
17. End all contact
If you can’t go the friend route, then it’s best if you just end all contact with him. This is painful but inevitable. So, don’t talk to him, at least for a while.
Delete his phone number, and block or unfollow him from social media for now. You don’t want to bump into him and feel worse. [Read: How to look cool and awesome when you bump into your ex]
18. Plan your recovery
This is selfish, especially considering you’ve got a head start, but if your boyfriend doesn’t care about you, why should you care about him?
The first one who gets over the relationship is always the happier one because they’re not seething over the fact that it all happened so suddenly.
So, make sure you find a way to get over him completely. Party, have a rebound relationship, go out with friends or on a vacation, do anything that can take your mind off him, and you’ll get over your breakup sooner than you think. [Read: How to get over a broken heart – The only guide you’ll need]
Move on with your life, however hard it may seem. And don’t look back. Breakups are inevitable and as painful and confusing as they may seem now, you’ll feel a lot better about it a couple of weeks or months from now.
And there we have it, the complete guide and walkthrough on how to break up with your boyfriend in a way you won’t regret. Now, let’s get into what you shouldn’t do.
Don’t…
19. Don’t be fickle
Many women decide to break up on the spur of the moment, and then they regret it or end up feeling more miserable than the guy, especially when the guy decides to end things anyway. [Read: Dumper’s regret – a timeline and stages of remorse of dumping someone]
We’re talking about a relationship here, not a shopping spree. Don’t jump to conclusions or take hasty decisions based on your ego.
Sure, you want to hurt him because he’s hurt you. But using the excuse of a breakup to hurt a guy may backfire on you!
So if you think you’ll be happier single, then reaffirm that thought and stick with it. Some girls are pretty fickle-minded when it comes to a breakup, and guys know that. Don’t be that girl. [Read: Why are women so fickle in love? The honest truth]
Don’t sway to his sweet words and false promises. He couldn’t be a good boyfriend for you during the relationship and even during a couple of weeks of the relationship break.
What are the odds of him being the perfect guy you’re dreaming of now?
20. Don’t avoid the other person or the conversation you need to have
Many people are really bad at breakups. Because of that, they think it’s easier to just avoid their partner and the conversation that they need to have with them. They think it’s better than hurting their feelings. [Read: 22 early warning signs of a bad boyfriend]
But it’s not. It’s almost cruel. When you avoid someone, it’s not like they’re oblivious to it. They notice. All it does is confuse them and make them wonder why you’re acting that way.
Pushing him away through avoidance is not the way to break up with your boyfriend. This is an immature way to act, and you should step up to the plate and be an adult. Just face them and get the conversation over with. You’ll be glad you did.
21. Don’t take the coward’s route
As you can see, the coward’s route, as popular as it is, is simply not the way you want to go. This will not do anybody any favors. [Read: Relieved after breaking up? 20 happy reasons why it’s a good sign]
Sure, you could simply lie to him about why you’re breaking up: say your parents don’t approve and you don’t want to ruin your relationship with them or tell him you’re holding him back, or whatever other excuse you can think of.
However, most people know when they are being lied to, especially in breakup situations. The whole “it’s not you, it’s me” routine is usually a thin veil for an abundantly clear: “I’m not feeling this anymore.”
This is not something you will be respected for in the long run, and what’s more, it may leave him feeling like there’s still a chance. [Read: 34 reasons to break up with someone and leave even if you love them]
22. Don’t rush into a difficult conversation without thinking it through
Sometimes people break up in the heat of a fight. But that’s not an effective way to do it. When people are upset, they tend to say things they don’t mean. That is because they are not being rational in the moment.
Even if you are not fighting, you can still rush into it if you’re not careful. This is a big decision, so you don’t want to leave it to chance for when and how you break up with your boyfriend.
Be very calculated about what you’re going to say and how you’re going to do it. Don’t be impulsive when you break up with someone. It’s not the right way to do it. [Read: Why are women so emotional? 18 reasons they feel deeper than men]
23. Don’t be disrespectful
Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. You might hate your boyfriend’s guts, but he’s still a human being. And sure, he might have done horrible things to you, but that shows who he is and what a horrible character he has, not you.
So, let your breakup be a reflection of what a good person you are. Regardless of his bad behavior, don’t sink to his level when you break up with him. Take the high road and refuse to give in to negativity and insults.
24. Don’t be too honest
A delicate breakup rule: Don’t tell him you like or are already with someone else. [Read: Emotional cheating vs. friendship – the point when a line is crossed]
Even if it’s true, even if you already have your next great love lined up around the corner, this would be an inappropriate time to tell him about it.
If he asks mid-breakup if there’s someone else, carefully avoid answering or deny, deny, deny. This is no time to needlessly upset him, and it certainly won’t help you avoid any messy post-breakup behavior.
If you ultimately decide to stay friends, it would be in your best interest to talk openly about just how friendly you want your conversations to get. [Read: 16 signs you’re the rebound girl he’s using to get over his ex]
For example, if either of you is seeing someone new – do you want to know, or would you rather be kept out of the love loop unless it becomes serious?
25. Don’t reveal horrible things afterward
When trying to have that elusive “closure” talk, make sure you pick a place that’s neutral and public. Public is good. The public setting says: “I probably can’t yell at you, scream, or cry because hey, guess what, there’s a ton of people around.”
While having your closure talk, fight any urge you have to reveal any less-than-charming anecdotes about your relationship. [Read: Post-breakup mistakes you should never commit]
Yes, closure conversations are meant to get it all out in the open, but have some restraint. Does he really need to know how much his chewing annoyed the pants off you, how he was awful in bed, or worse: that you secretly cheated on him?
Revealing these things will only paint you as the bad guy and create needlessly hurt feelings for your ex-partner.
26. Don’t be friends if you don’t actually want to be friends
If you don’t want to be friends after all is said and done, don’t lie and say you’re cool with the idea just to be nice.
Having an ex hang on like a leech in the hopes of having a friendship or winning you back isn’t going to be good for anybody. [Read: The good and bad of being friends with an ex – your helpful guide]
All this will lead to more resentment in the future and, frankly, a messy situation for you. Leading him on post-breakup is cruel, so as hard as it may be, bite the bullet and tell him the truth.
If he asks you if you can stay friends, simply respond with something like, “I’m sorry, I just don’t think that’s going to work for me.”
27. Don’t stalk him on social media after
Sure, it’s tempting. A lot of people stalk their exes on social media. Whether you are just naturally curious about what he’s doing or you are checking to see if he has a new girlfriend, nothing good will come of it. [Read: How to stop obsessing over an ex and free your mind for something new]
That doesn’t mean that you have to de-friend him or block him. Of course, you can if you think that’s the best thing. But you don’t have to. It’s possible to stay connected on social media and simply ignore each other. In fact, it’s the mature thing to do.
28. Don’t jump right into a new relationship
Even if you have your eye on someone that you want to date, hold back for a while. Just because you wanted to break up with your boyfriend doesn’t mean that you are fully healed from the relationship. In fact, you’re far from it.
So, take the time to sort through your feelings. Do some reflection on what went wrong in the relationship and what you want to do better in the next one. [Read: Rebound relationship – 42 signs and rules and how to have fun in one]
You don’t want to repeat the same negative patterns with your next boyfriend, do you? Of course not! So, if you’re not careful, you might just do that. Don’t just jump into another relationship just to make yourself feel better. It’s not fair to your new boyfriend – or you.
When to ask for help when breaking up with your boyfriend
Breaking up is not always as easy as it seems, as you know. But there are certain situations that are more difficult than others. Here is when you should ask for help if you want to break up with your boyfriend.
1. If he is abusive
This one is huge. If you are afraid of your boyfriend and think he might harm you if you attempt to break up with him, then don’t do it alone. [Read: Disrespectful boyfriend – 17 subtle signs and the best ways to deal with him]
You need someone there when you break up with him. This person will not only be a witness, but they will also hopefully stop any sort of violent behavior he might exhibit if he loses his mind.
2. If he threatens to hurt himself
Guilt is a great way to manipulate people. So, if he threatens to hurt himself if you try to break up with him, then you need to get some professional advice.
Many times, people just say this to guilt you into staying. But sometimes, they mean it. You never know for sure, so you need the advice of a trained professional. [Read: How to get rid of false guilt and drop the burden others put on you]
3. If you’re struggling to move on after the breakup
You probably wanted – or needed – to break up with your boyfriend, but that doesn’t mean that you will take it well. Maybe you are a very sensitive and emotional person who experiences things very deeply. If that sounds like you, then you might struggle after the breakup.
In that case, you should talk to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist. You can move on and be a lot happier, but you might need a little help. And that’s okay. Don’t ever be afraid to reach out for some assistance when you need it.
[Read: 16 lessons to recover from a breakup one day at a time and move ahead]
Use these steps, and you’ll save yourself a lot of heartache and pain. And most importantly, you’ll know how to break up with your boyfriend, move on with no regrets, and live a happier life.
