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"No matter what side of a breakup you're on, ending a relationship is never easy. If you're the person initiating the split, you go in knowing it's going to be tough and wanting to be as sincere as possible. But there's way more that goes into a caring, heartfelt breakup than just waiting a couple hours before changing your Facebook status. We've put together a handy little guide for what to say and how to say it when you drop the breakup bomb.\n\nAvoid all clich\u00E9s.\n\n You've probably internalized enough rom-coms to be able to ecute a crappy breakup in your sleep, but your soon-to-be-ex deserves better than phoned-in heartbreak. Skip the \"It's not you, it's me\" line, and be more straightforward with what you mean. If you're tempted to say \"I love you, but I'm not in love with you,\" explain how you've both grown in different directions and are no longer the people who fell for each other initially. Instead of \"I'm sure you'll find someone soon!\", express how you want them to be happy and that you're unable to fulfill that need. Don't hurt their feelings even more by being shifty in your explanation.\n\nDon't smother them with praise.\n\n While letting someone down, it's easy to cover the message of \"I don't like you anymore\" with compliments so they don't feel as bad (and so you\u2014understandably!\u2014don't feel as guilty). The problem is, piling on the sugar can mean setting yourself up for The Worst Response Possible: \"If I'm so great, why are you dumping me?\" (Eek!) Act empathetic and understanding above all else, but don't stray from the bottom line that, yes, you are breaking up with them. After all, if you're going through with it, there's gotta be a good reason!\n\nBe considerate in terms of timing.\n\n It's tough enough to bid your beau adieu, but when you factor in an upcoming holiday or special event, it can easily become a full-blown disaster. If you're supposed to be their date to a sibling's almost-here wedding or next month's prom plans are already locked and loaded, try a stop-gap approach. Instead of flat-out breaking up, consider having an open conversation about the issues in the relationship and see if you can patch things up over the next few weeks. That way, you don't have to fake your joy all night, but won't have to ditch them for their big event either. (And better yet\u2014it may save your relationship, too!)\n\nIt's advantageous to stay friendly.\n\n Here's where it gets tricky. If you go to school together, you may be seeing this person every day for the next few years. If you're in college, that means you could bump into each other on the quad, in class, at your dorm, or even out at night all the time. And because technology doesn't allow for significant others to ever really \"disappear\" anymore, be cognizant that you will likely see and hear from them again, and aim to stay friendly once you're no longer together. We suggest keeping the breakup clean\u2014try not to excessively drum up your grievances, air needless confessions, or \"get it all out\" just because the split is happening in real time (and in front of your face). If there's an issue that relates directly to why you're doing the dumping, feel free to discuss it at length, but if an extra detail will unnecessarily cause them more pain, think twice before mentioning it.\n\nAsk yourself if you're doing it for the right reasons.\n\n But before you go down Breakup Boulevard, do some thinking. Are you going to different colleges in the fall? Is your mom not a fan? Do your friends think your significant other's a total weirdo? Who cares! Your happiness is entirely up to you, and you deserve to be loved. No one has to break up because they're moving or because outside pressure seems to dictate it. Trust your gut and make the best decision for you."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-break-up-gracefully>