Ending a relationship is a challenge. It’s so easy to second guess yourself and wonder if you’re making a horrible mistake. Then comes the guilt you’ll feel by causing someone you used to love, and maybe still do, all that pain. Where should you have ‘the talk’? When?  What will you say? What should you make sure not to say?  It’s never easy to break up, but with some forethought you can lessen the pain and awkwardness a little bit.

Do yourself a favor and think long and hard about it before you actually do it. It’s very hard, sometimes impossible, to get back with someone after a breakup so you want to make sure that you’re sure this is the best thing to do…before you do it.  Don’t go off in a huff because the two of you just had a fight. You don’t want to have to swallow your pride and eat your words if you’ve jumped the gun and then had a change of heart.

Of course, if you’re being abused, don’t allow yourself to be talked out of it. This is the one time that you have got to stand your ground.  Other than that, though, take your time while making your decision, no matter what you may think, the grass isn’t greener on the other side of the fence.  Make sure you’re really ready for all that will happen after the breakup. Don’t expect that you’ll go out and start dating everyone within a 50 mile radius. It’s easy to be a little bored in a relationship and convince yourself that you can do better, but can you?  Really?  You better be sure.

If after all this soul searching you’re still convinced that a breakup is the best way to go, than plan out the best way to go about it. Even though you want out of the relationship that’s no reason to be mean and callous to your soon- to- be ex.  Try to figure out the kindest and gentlest way to end the relationship. Oh, and don’t be a schmuck and breakup with someone right before a major holiday or their birthday. You’ve waited this long you can wait a few days more. No need to tarnish their big day with memories of a painful breakup.

When it comes time to talk to them, pick a quiet place and take your time. Don’t lie to them, be as honest as possible (though if you’re already seeing someone else you may want to spare them that detail) but don’t back down. You’ve given this a lot of thought and you’re sure this is the right thing to do, so do it. They may cry, threaten and plead but you have to stand firm otherwise you’ ll just be repeating the whole scene in a few days or weeks, and who wants to go through that?

Once you’ve done it and the two of you are through, don’t give into temptation and call them, and don’t take their calls if they call you either. You both have to move on and since you’re the one who ended the relationship it’s up to you to be the ‘strong’ one and cut off all contact.  You may be tempted to talk to them, especially if the whole dating everyone within 50 miles thing hasn’t worked out quite the way you planned, but don’t. Make a clean break.

You can’t take away all the pain and make things better for your ex when it comes to ending a relationship, but you can handle the situation with thought and compassion to make things as easy as possible. And you should, because karma can be a witch.

If you can get your relationships needs met, the relationship has a better chance of being long and happy. Not having your needs met is one of the biggest reasons relationships don’t work out. And after a break up, it’s especially important to have your relationships needs met to stay happy and stay together.

The surefire way to get your needs met in a relationship is by making sure the other person knows just what those needs are. You can’t read minds, and you shouldn’t expert your partner to be able to read minds either. He or she wants to make sure your relationships needs are met, so tell them what they are.

At the same time, encourage your partner to tell you the needs he or she feels are important. You might be surprised to learn, if you’ve never had this conversation before, how different your needs might be.

You might feel the need for you partner to tell you he loves you often, so may you do that for him. He no doubt enjoys that, but maybe what he really needs is for you to do quick considerate things to make him feel special. Some people like to be told, and some people like to be shown.

Simply having a discussion about your relationships needs can strengthen the relationship and make it easier for you to keep each other happy. If you’re uncomfortable having such a frank discussion, you should do it anyway. Telling each other your needs is better than hinting or expecting them to be psychic.

You may really need your partner to be more helpful to you. But when it’s time to clean or wash dishes you do them alone, yet again. And instead of simply asking for help or letting him know that it would mean a lot to you if he would do them sometimes or do them with you, you get angry.

You might huff around while you’re doing them, slam a cabinet, or act otherwise put out. This is passive aggressive behavior. You’re trying to manipulate him into helping you by acting that way. It’s much better and healthier to simply ask for help.

Passive aggressive behavior is common in relationships, and it’s a worsening cycle because it doesn’t work. If he does take your hint, it’s only after you’ve acted put upon, angry and resentful. So his doing the dishes might be only to keep you from acting that way.

If you ask for help and explain that it makes you feel good when he wants to help you, then he’s coming at the task from a place of love and helpfulness. He doesn’t feel guilted into doing it, so it’s better for everyone.

This applies to things like showing affection, respecting each other’s feelings, and every aspect of your relationship. When you want something, ask for it, and be prepared to give your partner what he or she asks for to make sure all your relationships needs are met.