Breaking Up Advice

Breaking Up Advice for Women

Breaking up advice does not always address something that is very important when considering the end of a relationship, and that is, knowing when to break up.  Not every relationship can work long term, and most of us have that one relationship in our past that we've held on to for far too long.  Women in particular seem to try and hold on to a relationship even after it's been disolved.  In this article we'll discuss breaking up advice for women and men who aren’t sure if it’s time to let go.

Abuse of Any Kind

If you’re in an abusive relationship, it’s time to break up.  It doesn’t matter if the abuse is physical, emotional or verbal; abuse of any kind is a deal breaker.  Some people don’t know when to break up a relationship that’s poisonous.  Instead they let things drag on for weeks, months or even years because they aren’t sure how to do it or when it’s appropriate.

You’ll know it’s time to break up if:

There are numerous signs of abuse to watch out for, but the key thing to remember is that you are probably in an abusive relationship if your partner makes you feel badly about yourself instead of making you feel better about yourself.  The best breaking up advice you’ll ever get is to leave immediately and never look back.

Values and Goals Differences May Lead to a Breakup

Breaking Up AdviceYou can love someone deeply and still not be able to live together.  Although some breaking up advice columnists will tell you that “love conquers all,” this isn’t always true in the real world.  If you have deeply held religious values or very specific goals that aren’t compatible with the lifestyle or beliefs of the one you love, a long-term commitment may not be possible.

For instance, if you are a conservative, evangelical Christian, your belief that Christianity is the only path to salvation would make it difficult to live with a partner who is an atheist.  You might try to “save” them, but resentment and bitterness can build up if your partner is just as committed to their belief that there is no God.  You’ll also run into problems if you have children – what faith will they be raised in?  What if your children are atheists?  How will you explain the fundamental difference in beliefs with respect for both views?

You can also run into relationship problems if one of you is a very ambitious, driven person.  If you’re busy climbing the corporate ladder but you love someone who is content with a part-time job and the bare necessities, complications are bound to arise.  If your partner relishes having lots of free time and would rather relax and take it easy every weekend, but you’re committed to making that first million dollars before you’re thirty, your relationship will probably get rocky.  One of you will resent the “slacker” attitude and wonder if their partner is really pulling his or her weight, while they other may feel like you are wasting the best years of your life pursuing material success.

Do you dream of having children?  If you can’t imagine your life without children, don’t marry someone who says they never want to have children.  Trying to change someone’s mind about such a major life commitment is a bad idea.   There’s no relationship advice in the world that can overcome this issue – and having a child you don’t really want in order to please a partner will lead to disaster.

When To Break Up Because of Compatibility Issues

Simple incompatibility can also lead to a break up.  If you find yourself asking for a lot of relationship advice from friends because you constantly run into what seem like minor issues you can’t resolve, it’s a sign that you may be fundamentally incompatible.  Yes, opposites attract, but this is in the initial, romantic phase of a relationship.  If you’re a laid-back housekeeper, your partner’s dedication to extreme neatness may stop being cute after a while and become wildly annoying.

Are you an independent person who is find spending a night or two with your partner?  What if your loved one needs the constant reassurance of your presence all the time?  If you like a relationship that allows for plenty of time apart but your partner feels like you should do everything together, one of you may become disillusioned if you can’t reach a compromise.  You don’t want to end of feeling smothered, and they shouldn’t feel neglected.

Knowing When To Break Up

Ask yourself this simple question:  “Am I happier now than I was before I began dating this person?”  If the answer is “Yes,” go on to the next question:

“Will my future be happy if I am with this person just as he/she is now?”  In other words, can you accept your partner’s views on having kids and other major issues without having to change him or her in order to find your own happiness.

Relationships are not fix-it projects.  Accepting your partner’s goals, views and personality is crucial to a successful relationship.  As painful as it sounds, if you find yourself thinking, “If only my partner would…….., then I could be happy,” it’s time to consider when to break up – and it should be sooner rather than later.