How to end one's relationship without breaking one's heart

July 13, 2011 9:39am CST
I have a wife and in our relationship we have so many struggles and difficulties. The more and more we get at it the more and more we seem to push ourselves away. We look like we aren't going to get anywhere with this relationship. The only thing left to do is to go our separate ways. She is still unexperienced in being in a serious relationship. Love will always be there but it will not stop the arguments we go through. Is it because we aren't meant to be or is it because its just one of them periods in a relationship where you have to go through in life? I want us to go our separate ways but I don't know how to do it without breaking her heart. Like they say, "If it was meant to be then one will always come back". I've tried to break it down to her so she won't fall apart but she's always crying. It got me thinking to where I'm like there's no way to do it without breaking her heart.
2 people like this
10 responses
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
14 Jul 11
I'm not sure if it's possible to end a relationship without breaking somebody's heart. I can feel you, i know what you're going through. How long have you been married? How long has this been going on? I'm not going to tell you to stay or leave. I just want to say that there's no easy way in ending a relationship even though the result would be for the best. I hope that you'll be able to resolve this as soon as possible and hope that whatever decision you make, it would be for a better life for both of you.
1 person likes this
• Malaysia
14 Jul 11
Is going separate ways the last step you're taking? Ending relationship (any kind of relationship) is sure to break one's heart, can't escape. You can minimize the pain by really have a good talk and discussions. If the final episode is still going separate, at least you know and she know what's the problems lies between and that both are not compromising. I think by these way, both can go separate feeling easier and not feeling bad or guilty, maybe could still maintain the friendship ! Good luck !
1 person likes this
@annavi23 (6522)
• Philippines
16 Jul 11
Hello tualaulelei! are you filipino? cause your username sounds like tulalei, a gay language which means tulala or staring at nowhere. Anyways, about your topic, i believe there is no easy way to say goodbyes or ending a relationship. it's hard to say those words without thinking that you may really break their hearts. No matter what you do, be it ignore the person or tell them in their faces that you wanted to end your relationship. It's always hard to do. We may always break their hearts even without saying a word. It's just that we have to face them and tell them what we really feel. Rather than be with them when we know what we really feel for them is not love anymore. If we are not happy in a relationship, why stay with it? It's just being true to oneself and to whoever your partner is. We should accept the fact that we have to tell them the truth. No matter how hard it is, we have to be true to them and ourselves as well.^_^
@rona07 (1641)
• Philippines
13 Jul 11
i guess ending ones relationship will always break a heart.. If you really want to end the relationship then you have to deal with that. However, you must be sure that, that is what you want. People always have differences, may she be your wife or anyone else. The thing is how much you want to sacrifice and bend in order to meet each other. Since, you don't mention any kid, ill assume that there is none. It is much harder if you have kids, coz it will hurt them the most. So you see, it will hurt but then eventually you/she will get used to it.. as they say time heals..
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jul 11
When a relationship ends it will always brake a heart.No easy way to do it.Divorce is a big step and just think about it and be sure this is what you want to do first.Set her down and talk to her and if you still feel like you need to end the relationship just try to stay strong and do it.I have been through a divorce before and it does hurt but sometimes thats the only choice your left with as a person.Good luck!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
14 Jul 11
as those mushy songs would go, there are two kinds of people that deal with heartbreak..first are those who want to "break it to me gently" types and the second are the "baby dont you break my heart slow" kinds. one thing is for sure though: "theres no easy way to break somebody heart" be it be slow or abrupt. my piece of advice is that first both of you should decide whether or not to keep the relationship. if so, you must exhaust all the possible help you can get (like marriage counseling). but if you yourself have already given up on her, then you must bid your farewell soon so both of you can move on..
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
14 Jul 11
because she loves you, or she thinks it's love whatever it is, she will still fall apart but one day she will get herself back together and make a new start I don't know how you word it maybe add some philosophical view that will show her the bright side of divorce e.g. she will be free to find a new love and gain her independence back those words, personally, will help me go through any heartache because I love freedom LOL but you know your wife, see if you can come up with something
• United States
16 Jul 11
Not going to happen! Just what you have said in your letter, she does love you. It does not matter how many fights/arguments you get into, the love is still there. No matter how much love there is between you guys, or even if you guys both had the same feeling that your relationship should end. Once you have that feeling for another person there is always going to be heart break when it is over. It is the feeling of loss in ones life that hurts, and it does not matter if you feel that you have fallen out of love, or not. When a relationship ends you are still loosing your partner ie. A Broken Heart...
• Philippines
14 Jul 11
I think.. if your partner really loves you, it'll be hard not to break his/her heart. There are instances where if both people involved in the relationship knows that the relationship is not going anywhere and is going to hurt more people, they are most likely going to end up as friends. I'd probably recommend you to have a heart-to-heart talk. (Well you can do that if you can endure/ bear hearing those goose-bumps-causing kind of words..) Or you can listen to what she has to say first and tell her your side about your relationship. your reasons, and maybe your future plans. I'm not really sure of what your future plan is but in case you might be studying in the future or leaving for some place, tell her that both of you needs to be more mature on these kind of things. Tell her as honestly as possible. In such a way that she won't be breaking down in tears. Look in her eyes as you talk. And maybe tell her that there are more things you have to improve on. And probably after ending the relationship, stay in contact and be friends. Good luck! I hope I helped you!
• Philippines
14 Jul 11
In every break-up, there will always be pain that will be left in both parties. Considering that she is already your wife, of course, the more that it's really hurtful in her part. And by the way, how come you said that she's not serious and unexperienced yet? If that is so, then why did you marry her? There's already a knot between you two. Breaking up with a girlfriend is never exactly the same with breaking up with a wife. It's not really break-up, it's filing a divorce/annulment already. I think it's better if you'll think about your decision all over again. It's not an easy thing to do. The pain that you'll leave in her will always be pain. It can be forgiven, but the scar will always be there.