How do you know when it's time to break up with someone?

Ending a relationship is never easy. Whether you have been dating for some time, living together, married, or involved in any other kind of partnership, the decision to break up can be agonizing. It’s also one of the most important and difficult decisions you may ever have to make. After all, you don’t just end the relationship but, depending on the circumstances, your connection with the other person forever.

Determining when it is time to break up is far from simple. While one half of a couple may feel that things are over, the other may not agree. Regardless, if the relationship has become destructive and unfulfilling on both sides, then it could be time to move on.

The decision to break up may come down to how connected and happy you feel with the other person. Do you find yourself arguing constantly, full of negative and angry emotion, or afraid of discussing issues? If this sounds familiar, it could be a sign that it is time to start thinking about ending things.

The most important sign that it is time to break up is if the other person isn't responsive to your needs. You must consider whether the relationship is meeting your own expectations and influencing you in a positive way. Is the other person willing to help you grow, or do you feel confined and restless?

It is also essential to ask yourself why you wish to break up. Is it because you don’t trust the other person, feel emotionally neglected, or worry about becoming too dependent on them? If those feelings become so strong that you feel the situation can’t be improved, then that could be another indication that it is time to end it.

You should also evaluate how much energy you are investing in the relationship. If you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and unable to provide yourself with enough oxygen before tending to your partner, it might be time to consider going separate ways.

If the relationship has significantly decreased your self-esteem and undermined your ability to pursue other goals, then it is likely time to part ways. You should let go of the burden of trying to make something work that isn't.

Breaking up can be a stressful, heartbreaking time, but if both people are honest about their feelings, respectful of each other’s emotions and experiences, it doesn’t have to be disastrous. Remember, although the relationship may not have lasted, the lessons learned from it can last a lifetime.