It's hard to tell if a relationship, the romantic kind, will last a lifetime or turn into shambles. Issues may arise, conflicts may take place, feelings may fade, parties may wander off, and happiness may wither—these are just a few of the many things that may ruin a relationship. All things being equal, staying in a tainted relationship can often lead to more problems rather than choosing to let go. It's either one of you will be the one to break up, or it can be mutually agreed upon to end the relationship. However, if you deem that keeping the relationship is no longer healthy and is already destructive, then there is no other choice for you but to let your partner go. Not all the time that your partner will agree on what you'll decide upon, so in ending your relationship, do it nicely and let your partner down softly. Here's how.

1. Break up with your partner personally. You may be thinking that the safest way to break up is by means of sending your partner a message with your smartphone, or any other type of media. This way, you get to avoid the drama of the event and the negative reactions your partner might exhibit. Be human enough and take responsibility for potentially hurting your soon-to-be-ex. The best way is to break up personally to give both of you the chance to talk things out and reflect on the situation.
2. Choose the right time and place. This should be your first consideration when planning a break up. Never do the actual break up on holidays or special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, for the excruciating pain might haunt your ex every time that significant day comes around. Regarding the place, pick one where your soon-to-be-ex can feel vulnerable, that where there is no crowd or an event for that matter. As a rule of thumb: the less public, the better.
3. Be objective with your reasons. Your soon-to-be-ex will most probably ask you the reason/s why you want out of the relationship, and having the reason "just because" or no reason at all will give him/her so much anxiety. Make sure that before going for the actual break up, you have already identified the reasons why you want to leave your partner.
4. Don't leave false hopes. When breaking up, you have to be honest but sensitive enough; however, giving out false hopes is downright deceitful just perhaps to get out of that awkward situation spick-and-span. Try to avoid saying, "Maybe we can try again some time when everything's back to normal." This will only intensify the agony your ex will be feeling in the long run.
5. Realize that break ups are just a normal part of life. Some relationships are just bound to end sooner or later. But, don't get the impression that you can treat your partner like a replacement battery for mobile phones, that can easily be taken over by another; that's just inhumane. Every person that may come and go in your life is unique and special. On a different note, you need not to feel guilty for breaking up with your partner; trying to prolong your strained relationship might only make the situation worse. Sometimes, it's better to let the things that do us no good go.

Truly, not all relationships are created equal. They differ on how they are founded, the setting they are in, the issues they experience, and ultimately, the parties involved. In most cases, it really is difficult for the person being left behind to cope up and move forward; therefore, there is a need for the other to break up the proper way for the one he/she once loved.