The Worst Ways Someone Can End A Relationship

By Milli 7 months ago

1. Ghosting Them

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Ghosting is the term for simply ceasing communication without an explanation. Brutal right? It is one of the most savage ways to break up with someone as it leaves them heartbroken with a lot of unanswered questions. There is nothing worse than being taken by surprise with something like this.

2. Cheating On Them

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Cheating is a common reason for people breaking up, either by the person cheated on because they're so hurt or by the person doing the cheating as they realised they are not happy. Either way, it's a very hurtful way to end a relationship. It can leave people with long-lasting trust issues that they carry into future relationships.

3. By Text Message

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How cold can you be? Breaking up with someone over text message is the cowards way out. We know ending a relationship is never a comfortable conversation to have, but you owe it to the other party to show them some respect. Breaking up with someone over text message is very impersonal and will leave the other person feeling very hurt.

4. During A Fight

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We've all been there. Sometimes in the heat of the moment, you just want to say what might hurt them the most. We would still recommend not throwing the word 'break up' around. You can't be thinking clearly in these situations and the other person will feel extremely caught off guard and hurt.

5. Through A Friend

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You should never get someone else to do your dirty work, that's a fact. It will put your friend in a very uncomfortable position but it will also let your partner know that you actually have no respect for their feelings. The least you can do is tell them yourself and explain your reasons.

6. Just Before An Event

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You might have come to a decision and really want to get it off your chest, but please don't do it right before a special event. It can be very inconsiderate and ruin their plans. There really is a time and a place and right before a birthday party is not it. It just causes them extra unnecessary stress.

7. Insulting Them

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There is never any need to be nasty. Even when breaking up with someone. So don't insult them and say hurtful comments, it makes you look bad. You have cared for this person at some point, no matter the situation now, so don't leave them feeling worthless and hurt for longer than they need to be.

8. "It's Not You, It's Me"

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No one wants to hear this. And no one will believe you anyway. It's insensitive and lazy to use such a cliché excuse to break up with someone. Own it and give them the truth, whether you want to or not. People need closure and you need to allow them to move on in the future.

9. Getting Caught In The Act

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Letting your partner catch you cheating is one way to end a relationship, but it won't be a nice one. Not only is that an absolutely devastating thing to find out, there will be no amicable conversation to be had afterwards. They will hate you probably forever and there's every chance their reaction won't be a nice one.

10. Doing It In Public

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Unless you're doing it purely for your own safety, like ending a toxic relationship, then breaking up with someone in public is never okay. They will probably be upset and embarrassed and don't need any extra pairs of eyes looking at them. Do them a favour and have the conversation in private.

11. Lying About It

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You need to at least be honest about the reason for your decision. Don't start making excuses and lying about it, it's cowardly and it's confusing for the other person. You will be surprised how much more understanding people can be if they can actually see where you're coming from.

12. With A Phone Call

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Breaking up with someone by phone call may be controversial. Yes, it is more personal than a text message, but there is still no guarantee you can express your feelings properly over text. A face to face conversation is still the best way to avoid miscommunication and any unaddressed feelings.

13. Via Social Media

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We use social media for a lot these days, but it definitely shouldn't be used for a break up. That could be a messaging app that we have already covered, but it also means don't just change your facebook status with no notice! Finding out you're single from your partner's facebook status is savage.

14. Just Disappearing

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You could cause someone some real long-term damage if you just disappear with no explanation. It is an extremely confusing situation and can also be very worrying for the person involved if you just suddenly decide to stop turning up. Be the bigger person and explain yourself.

15. Ignoring Them

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Never leave someone hanging. It's immature and very cruel. You never know how your actions may impact this person in the long-term, for example carrying these feelings of rejection into future relationships. You owe them an explanation, so don't just ignore their pleas.

16. Blaming Them

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A relationship is a two-way street and rarely is it one person's fault for a break up. You certainly shouldn't be placing the blame on them while breaking up with them (no matter how you might feel in the moment). Always try and be mature about the situation and keep it brief before it turns nasty.

17. By Email

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Very similar to text message, email is also an unacceptable way to break up with someone. It shows a lack of care for that person and it can leave the dumpee feeling dismissed and unable to ask questions which can lead to a lot of frustration. Everyone deserves a face to face conversation.

18. "We Can Still Be Friends"

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No. No, you can't. So don't give them false hope. No one can remain friends after a break up without it becoming complicated. Especially if you're doing the dumping, don't leave them with any doubt that the door is closed and won't be reopening. It will only come back to bite you.

19. "I Need Space"

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What a vague and frustrating thing to hear. Does this mean you might get back together in the future after your 'space'? Don't use this excuse when breaking up with someone. You need to be clear about your reasons and also clear that this is a final decision and no amount of space will fix it.

20. Getting Someone Else To Do It

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You might think getting someone that they know to do the breaking up is a good idea, but it really isn't. It shows a lack of care and really the very least you can do is actually show up to the break up conversation! They will probably have questions that only you can answer.

21. Using A Post-It Note

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You would like to think people don't do this, but we have heard that people have! Ending a relationship with a note on a post-it is the ultimate smack in the face. It demonstrates a huge lack of compassion and will no doubt hurt the other person's feelings. You can except an angry response from the other party here.

22. Moving On Immediately

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Dumping someone and then moving on the next day is not classy. It also suggests that something might have been going on behind the scenes (whether it was or wasn't) and that can lead to some pretty dark feelings for the other party. Show some respect and wait a little while before moving on.

23. The Slow Fade

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Ghosting is one thing, but the slow fade means you are slowly removing yourself from someone's life. It's like hinting at breaking up but not actually doing it. It sounds like torture. Dragging out a break up is not fair to either party, so make up your mind and stop causing them pain.

24. Blindsiding Them

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It is actually really difficult to move on from a relationship if you had no idea the end was coming. It's not quite as common, but this is why it is so important to be clear about your feelings to your partner, otherwise they are left feeling confused and hurt and not quite sure what's hit them.

25. By Picking A Fight

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Don't just start a fight with someone thinking that you can just drop the bomb in the heat of the moment. This is still very much blindsiding your partner. Plus, if they find out that you manipulated the situation they are likely to be very, VERY angry.

26. During A Romantic Evening

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There's nothing like setting the mood for a nice, romantic evening... and then getting dumped. Read the room. Just because they might be in a good mood after a nice meal out doesn't mean they can handle a break up. It can also be very misleading if you have just spent an evening acting like a couple.

27. Whilst Intoxicated

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Alcohol may seem like it's going to give you a bit of liquid courage, but it won't come across as very respectful to your partner. It also doesn't mean that you won't regret it afterwards, as it's possible that you might do, but also very possible that your partner won't take you back.

28. After You've Made A Big Joint Purchase

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Buying a house or getting a puppy together is a very big commitment. Not a commitment you should make if there is even the slightest of doubt in your mind about your relationship. You don't want to be bringing your new puppy home and it making you realise that you've made a huge mistake. It won't just be your feelings you're hurting...

29. Beating Around The Bush

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We know it's a very awkward conversation to have, but you still need to make sure you are clear and to the point. Leave no room for misinterpretation. You want to be nice about it, but don't beat around the bush so much that you never actually get to the point!

30. Give Them False Hope

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NEVER leave them with false hope. This is why doing it in person and being clear about your feelings is the best way. Don't try to soften the blow by suggesting there could be potential in the future, just to never speak to them again. It's better to be honest from the start so you can both move on.