Problem: Article: Once you’re certain that you want to break up, it’s best to get it over with as soon as possible. Don’t drag a dying relationship out unnecessarily. Getting the difficult conversation out of the way will put you on the path to recovery faster and save your partner from getting more invested in the relationship than they already are.  Don’t spring “the talk” on your partner without any warning. Say something like, “I need to talk to you about something important. Can we meet up tomorrow evening?” Do not break up via phone, text, or email unless you are concerned for your safety. Breaking up in person is much more considerate and respectful to your partner. Write out a list of all the points you want to cover if you’re afraid of forgetting something. Ask a trusted friend to role-play the breakup with you so you can rehearse what you want to say out loud. Breakups usually bring intense emotions to the surface for both people. Your boyfriend or girlfriend may get angry, cry, or try to talk you out of breaking up. Decide ahead of time how you will handle each of these responses, and practice staying firm in the face of these reactions while role-playing with your friend. Throughout the conversation, frame things in terms of how you feel and what you need. Avoid blaming your boyfriend or girlfriend for the breakup. This will take some of the sting out of your message and make it harder for them to argue with you. For instance, don’t say, “You don’t make me a priority in your life.” Instead, try saying something like, “I need a partner who makes time for me, and I don’t feel like you do that.” Your boyfriend or girlfriend will probably feel confused and hurt when you tell them you want to break up, and empty platitudes will only add insult to injury. Respect your partner’s feelings and their need for answers, and be straightforward about your reasons for ending the relationship. Resist the temptation to express your sorrow with a cliché like “It’s not you, it’s me” or something similar. Just say what you mean as directly as possible. Your boyfriend or girlfriend will probably have some questions for you, especially if they didn’t see the breakup coming. Don’t lie about anything just to preserve their feelings, but put an optimistic spin on the breakup if you can.  Studies have found that breakups are least painful when the person ending the relationship is kind, honest, and positive about the time they have spent with the other person.  Emphasize ways the breakup benefits both of you. For instance, you might tell your partner, "I think I would be happier if I dated someone whose personality is more compatible with my own."
Summary: Schedule a time to talk. Prepare for what you’ll say. Use “I” statements. Avoid clichés. Answer any questions honestly, but gently.

Problem: Article: Find someone you feel connected to and who you feel a strong connection with. It’s difficult (though not impossible) to start a meaningful conversation with a stranger or acquaintance. It might feel more comfortable to start a meaningful conversation with someone you’ve known for a while or already have some closeness in your relationship. You might not want to start a meaningful conversation with someone who’s often argumentative or focused on always being ‘right’. Think about someone you can engage with and share both speaking and listening. A meaningful conversation will often occur within a context that makes it meaningful. While some meaningful conversations can happen spontaneously, others may require some planning. Especially if it’s difficult to find time to meet up, choose a date and a time where both you and the other person can be present and fully engaged. For example, don’t have the conversation when one or both of you have a time constraint. Avoid busy or stressful days so that each person feels comfortable and not preoccupied or stressed. When talking, you don't want to be interrupted by surrounding noise. You probably also don’t want prying ears overhearing your conversation. Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed or interrupted. This might include somebody’s home or a private meeting room.  For example, a restaurant may not be ideal as you may be interrupted or overheard. Look for a place with minimal distractions. Consider turning off your phone or the television so that it doesn’t interrupt your conversation. If your conversations are often scattered, disorganized, or tangential, you can pause to talk a moment to organize your thoughts. This helps keep the conversation on track, and can give you a confidence boost as well! If you know you're going to have a difficult conversation and want to prepare well in advance, you can also try writing down what you want to say to organize your thoughts! Put some effort into starting the conversation, especially if it’s a difficult topic. Decide on how you will start the conversation and what words you will say. Whether you enjoy it or not, small talk can help to open a conversation and make people feel more comfortable. Starting a conversation with something deep might be jarring or unexpected, so warm up with some small talk first. When you and the other person appear comfortable, bring up a more substantial topic. For example, ask how the person’s day is going or briefly talk about the weather.
Summary:
Choose who you want to speak with. Choose an appropriate time to talk. Find a quiet place. Collect your thoughts before you speak. Start with small talk.