There's no easy way to break up with a significant other. But you can be kind about it.
Linda Young, a counseling psychologist in Bellevue, Wash., who runs the "Love in Limbo" blog for Psychology Today, offers advice on how to break up with someone as humanely as possible.
Step 1: When to do it
Ideally, you want to have the breakup conversation when there's plenty of time to talk in private, face-to-face, with few distractions.
There's never a good time. Even if he's in a great mood or she's had a bad day at work, don't make excuses. Decide to do it, and do it.
An exception: If your partner is going through something traumatic, such as a health scare or the death of a loved one, the more humane thing to do is to postpone the breakup until that difficult period is over.
Step 2: Where to do it
Do it somewhere private. Dinner at his or her house might be best because then you can leave. Or have the talk while taking a walk or doing something outside in nice weather, because it's healthy to move when you're digesting emotional news.