Sometimes it's inevitable: relationships end.
Knowing how to end a relationship in the most graceful way possible will make sure really bad things don't happen later.
Above all, you must be strong in your convictions.
When the relationship is no longer mutually beneficial for both of you, there's not a lot left you can do to get it back to where it's perfect.
What makes ending a relationship so difficult is the amount of time and hopes and dreams you put into it only to realize that it just can't work with this person.
That doesn't make either one of you bad people! It only means that you are incompatible and will have better luck finding love elsewhere.
With that, here are some great pointers on how to end a relationship:

• Know exactly why you are leaving.
  Really give this some thought.
  Why are you leaving the relationship? What does your boyfriend/girlfriend do or not do that makes you incompatible? Could they really change this behavior if they really really wanted to? (Answer: probably not) Knowing the specific reasons for leaving gives you a stronger purpose if they promise to change.
  The reality is that people can change...
  but will revert back to their old selves within 3 months to a year.
  We can't help it.
  We are all creatures of comfort and find that comfort in what we know.
  

• Take care of business.
  This may seem cold, but once you start the breakup process, things can get unpredictable-sometimes ugly.
  So make sure you get those things back that are important to you before you break up.
  If you live together, figure out a way to remove your most cherished possessions because they may find themselves on the lawn.
  Obviously, this might not be an issue when breaking up with mature, responsible people, but some of them just snap and do horribly childish things.
  It's best to be safe and have all of the important stuff figured out before you give the axe.
  When it comes to dividing property, consider the stuff you really want to take with you, but in the end, it's only stuff.
  Resolve yourself to leaving with nothing.
  Everything you take with you will be a bonus.
  

• Take Responsibility.
  This is a big one.
  We all know it's always the other person's fault, but in the end it's all yours.
  It's your fault that their personality, or financial situation, or friends, or whatever don't match perfectly with yours.
  I'm not saying this to make you feel bad, it's just a simple truth.
  You cannot be happy in this situation so blaming them for the way they simply are will not make this any easier.
  There may be things you feel you have to say on why he or she screwed things up with you, but now is not the time.
  A simple, "I can't do this anymore," speaks way more volumes than "You are an inconsiderate jerk.
  " For one, when it becomes your problem, there is not much more he can do to fix it.
  If you blame him than he can beg forgiveness and promise to change.
  Avoid this conversation at all costs.
  It tempts you to stay and we all know that you are serious and you're rolling out for real! Be strong and take the blame!
• Don't send mixed signals.
  If it's over, it's over.
  No breakup sex, no maybe's, no "I'll think about it's.
  " You have made up your mind.
  You're open to friendship after the pain has faded away (and provided they don't act like a child), but otherwise now it's time to go your separate ways.
  When you send mixed signals, it only prolongs the pain and disrupts the grieving process.
  By being strong, you are also giving them a chance to move on quicker.
  
• There is no perfect time to beak up.
  People often wait years for that one chance to break up and everything is perfect.
  That perfect moment to bail never comes.
  Things just plod on and every day you live with your misery.
  Do it now! Don't get to the point where you "can't take it anymore.
  " Ending a relationship then will only make it ugly.
  We're not getting any younger and the longer you wait the more opportunities to find a truly loveable mate pass by that you will never get a second chance for.
  
• Don't go back.
  So many relationships get back together and usually fail again.
  Sure, you hear about people all the time that succeeded, but in order for you two to back together, both of you will have to change in significant ways.
  Just keep this in mind, the first break up might have been a breeze.
  The next will is guaranteed to be brutal because you no longer have the illusion of protecting the one you used to love.
  

And for the love of all that is holy,

• Don't get married to the person you are about to break up with! We see this all the time.
  You try to break up.
  You struggle with all the reasons to leave.
  They cry and promise to change and then they ask you to marry them.
  You really want to get married, so you say yes.
  Now you're married to the broken person you were trying to get rid of.
  A ring doesn't change the things they are doing wrong.
  Don't fall for this last-ditch-effort.
  It only puts a pretty little bow on all of your problems.
  

As I already said, be strong.
The "dumpee" might cry and you might too, but the pain you feel now is nothing compared to months or years more of silent misery.
Knowing how to end a relationship calmly and gracefully is the best opportunity for both of you to move on.
It also should give you comfort knowing that you treated them with all the respect and honor that someone you used to love deserves.