Remember the infamous 15 second breakup between Joe Jonas and Taylor Swift? Yeah, that’s definitely not how to end things. Your ex may dislike you for breaking up with them, but they will respect you for how you handle it. You can handle a bad breakup many ways but you can also end things on a high note. You may never be friends with the person again, but your breakup will not have to be labeled a “bad break up.”
Here are ways to break up with someone without being a jerk.
1. Have the guts to do it in person.
It is hard to make false promises or be less sympathetic to someone’s feelings when you’re looking them in the eye. “I can ask why, I may cry or show emotion. I would rather him see it, so he can feel empathy because you can’t feel that through the phone,” said University of Iowa senior Anna Mwangi. “Any other way is just cowardly”. Absolutely do not break up through a text message or over the phone. Wear your big kid pants and says what needs to be said.
2. Afraid of confrontation? Write a letter
For those out there that find it hard to look someone in the eye, pour out your feelings on paper. Explain in as many words as you need why the relationship needs to end. “When I broke up with my boyfriend in high school, I wrote a letter and put it in his locker. I talked to him afterward but the letter gave him time to accept things,” said University of Iowa sophomore Morgan Coat. This way you have a chance to gather your thoughts and emotions. They deserve to know the reason you want to end things. If your ex calls you to ask for more detail, then refer to tip number 1.
3. Be as straight forward and nice as possible.
Don’t beat around the bush. Say what you need to say and be as quick as possible. A few tears may be shed but you need to be firm and strong. There will be some tears, or cursing and it may make you falter but be strong. Don’t force yourself to be with someone you don’t want to be with, or it will become toxic. Say what you need to say to them in the kindest way possible. Their feelings are being hurt—do not rub salt in their wounds by being a jerk face.
4.Don’t say “it’s not you… it’s me.
For the love of God, do not say this no matter how nice it sounds in your head. It doesn’t make the break up hurt any less. It’s so old and cliché. Saying this will only make you look like a jerk—the very thing you were trying to avoid. Find another, more concise way, of letting your ex-bae down easy.
5. Avoid breaking up in public.
A breakup should stay between the two who were involved in the relationship. This means on social media, in a restaurant or any public space. Breaking up in public is totally childish and mean. Be an adult and do it somewhere more private. Nobody wants to cry in the middle of a crowded space.
6.Be apologetic…just don’t say sorry
“Why should I render an apology to him when the outcome, which is the break up, is not going to change”, said University of Iowa sophomore Gina Caris. “He won’t take me back anyway. So he can keep his apology. He shouldn’t apologize for how he feels.” Purposefully hurting someone’s feelings can be hard but keep in mind that once your mind is made up, it will not change. Break up with the person, but don’t be inclined to make them feel better when they already feel like crap. Just say what needs to be said. Be sympathetic. Be kind to them. Don’t be apologetic.
