Short of staying away from Christmas and Grandma's 100th birthday celebration, it can be difficult to figure out when to break up. Holidays, anniversaries and the family reunion or barbeque are clearly not the best times to end a relationship with your boyfriend or girlfriend. While there really isn't an opportune time for breaking up, you can formulate a plan that will make the task a little less difficult and perhaps even cushion the blow.
Putting the plan in motion
It's never a good idea to break up during a major holiday or important event, not only because it can cause a scene, but also because you don't want the person with whom you're splitting to associate all memories of that day with the end of your relationship. Thinking about the "when" part of breaking up is best while seeing how it factors into other details, such as the location. Common breakup advice dictates that there are several things you should consider when planning your break up setting:
You'll need to think about what is going to work best for you and how you think your partner will react to the news.
Choose your location
When couples break up, they often do it on the quick; meaning they don't put much thought into where they are when it happens or what they're doing. If you've been thinking about ending a relationship for some time, it is important to plan this conversation for a place that won't cause a scene or problems for anyone who might be around you.
If you can, avoid breaking up with your soon-to-be ex at your house. You don't want to have to ask him or her to leave or feel obligated to let them stay and absorb the news. You want to say what you need to say and then move on.
A neutral place, such as a park, is a good option. It's neutral, so there are no there's no ownership rights. After you break the news, your new ex will not be forced to leave immediately, but you have the freedom to extricate yourself from the situation once the deed is done. You can also choose to meet him at his place. It can be cold to drop in for the purpose of delivering bad news, but at least you can use the excuse of having other plans as a means to leave quickly.
Leaving the person you've just dumped quickly is important as well. Make plans with other friends and use that excuse as a reason why you can't stay and hash things out. You're not avoiding him, you're simply choosing not to drag things out by sticking around.
This is a private moment
Now is not the time to show off your acting skills in front of an audience. Meeting the one you're dumping in a private place doesn't mean he'll be victim to people watching the scene unfold; this means less embarrassment for the both of you. This is a time to be alone. Friends and family need not be witness to the event. By having some privacy, you spare you spare both him and yourself some humiliation. This is not a party moment for either of you.
When to break up is something only you can decide. You'll know when it needs to be done and once you do, you're best to have a plan so that no one is caught in an embarrassing situation.
 | Romantic relationships are what make life worth living. However, according to recent research, the ending of these relationships and difficulty learning how to move on can lead to serious health and emotional problems. Sometimes taking the plunge again is the best way to mend a broken heart. |
 | Learning how to break up may help you avoid unnecessary pain. |
 | If a relationship isn't healthy, it should be easy to move on, right? Wrong. For many people, letting go of a bad relationship is a terrifying concept. |
 | Avoid becoming the infamous crazy ex by following some basic, commonsensical rules. |
Your ex's friend is cute, sweet and thoughtful. Now that you and your ex are free to see other people, does this mean you can hook up with his buddy? |
