How to Break Up With Someone Like an Adult

A break up can be really bloody awful if you're on the receiving end, and leave you feeling confused, insecure and a whole lot of sad. But being the 'breaker upper' can sometimes be just as hard. Thoughts whirr through your head in the run up to The Dumping: Am I doing the right thing? Can I trust my own judgement here? What if they cry, shout or spray paint a penis on my car?

Gary Amers, an expert relationship coach, shares his advice for breaking up with someone like a legitimate adult human. That's without being unnecessarily nasty, while also getting to the point.

How to break up with someone

1. Be clear

People only wish to break up with someone if the person is no longer a
match to their outlook, values, passions, needs and desires. So before the break up, write a list of what it is that you no longer want to be, feel or experience in a relationship so you can be clear when you break up. Then write down what you now want, and visualise it.

2. Fall out of love in your mind first

It’s harder to break up if you keep focusing on the one moment you were
happy. If you're trying to build the strength to break up with a partner, banish that thought. Focus on the top five negative moments of your relationship. Remember what you saw, heard and felt during those times. Keep repeating the process.

3. Be kind, but strict

Breaking up can be extremely painful, not just for the person being left behind
but for the person doing the leaving. Be kind and respectful as you begin to
distance yourself, however, be strict with your boundaries because if you're not totally clear, your partner may get mixed signals and end up staying around much longer.

4. Figure out how valuable they are

Only you can decide what your partner is worth to you. Are they worth a sit
down dinner or a five-minute coffee break up? Are they worth a four-word text or
one last night of passion? Soz, but only you can decide that one. 

5. Look forward

Think about all of the things you are now free to be, do, and have, after
breaking up. Go on a rampage of thoughts that activate happy vibes. Tomorrow’s experiences are always created from the thoughts you are thinking today.