Ending Relationships Gracefully

In my counseling practice, I often hear the question, "How do I end a relationship without hurting someone's feelings?" Whether it's a romantic relationship or a friendship, ending it gracefully is generally a challenge.

The problem arises because so many people see it as a reflection of their worth when someone doesn't want to be with them. "If I was good enough, this person would want to be with me, so there must be something wrong with me."

There is Another Way to See This...

The way I see it is that for each of us there is a relatively small number of people with whom we feel a deep connection. Whether you want to explain this as due to being part of the same soul group in the spiritual realm, or to having similar energies, or to chemistry, the fact is that we don't feel connected to most people. Just because I don't feel connected with someone doesn't mean there is anything wrong with them. Just because you don't feel drawn to spend time with someone doesn't mean there is anything wrong with that person, and just because someone doesn't connect with you doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you. It's just the way things are, and it has nothing to do with there being anything wrong with anyone.

So if I say to someone, "I don't feel a strong connection between us," I am simply stating a fact. I am not making a judgment about the person's adequacy or worth.

The Mystery of Connection

All of us meet perfectly wonderful people with whom we just don't feel a connection. The person might be very attractive, have similar interests to us, and even be on a similar growth path or spiritual path. Yet we just don't connect. The spark that ignites friendship or romance just doesn't exist. If we could all accept that someone not wanting to be with us has nothing to do with our worth, we would not get hurt when someone says no to a relationship.

I don't pretend to understand all the factors that create connection between two people. All I know is that all of us have the experience of connection with another that occurs deeply and rapidly, as well as the experience of a lack of connection. Many people have had the experience of being fixed up with someone because a friend said, "I just know you two will like each other. You are so similar," only to discover a complete lack of connection. Katie, a client of mine, recently said to me, "Everyone said Rick is perfect for me. We look good together, we have similar interests and backgrounds, we are the same religion, we are equal educationally, and he is a really sweet guy. I kept thinking that if I just gave it time, I would feel the connection. But it never happened. I felt so badly breaking up with him because there is nothing wrong with him, but the connection just isn't there."

Is it anyone's fault that the chemistry or connection isn't there? Of course not! There is nothing wrong with either Katie or Rick. The connection just isn't there for Katie. She couldn't make it be there. She ended up saying to Rick, "You are a really terrific guy. I wish I felt the connection with you that I want to have with a partner, but I don't. It's not your fault - it's just not there."

Letting go of Responsibility for the Other's Feelings

Whether or not Rick felt hurt by this is really up to him. Katie can't take responsibility for how he feels. If Rick has the belief system that not everyone will feel connected with everyone, he will not feel hurt. If he has the belief system that if a woman doesn't connect with him, there is something wrong with him, he will feel hurt. His hurt will come from his belief system, not from the fact that Katie broke up with him.

Ending a relationship gracefully means speaking our truth without blame or judgment and not taking responsibility for another's feelings. Randi, another one of my clients, recently told me that she was able to tell the truth rather than give herself up to avoid hurting someone. A friend had introduced her to Barb, thinking that Randi and Barb had a lot in common and could be good friends. Randi got together with Barb and felt no connection. In fact, she felt the opposite. While Randi felt that Barb was a sweet person, she also felt Barb's energy pulling on her in various ways. While some people might not mind needy energy, or even find it endearing, Randi didn't like it at all. She was pleased with herself because she was able to tell Barb that she just didn't feel a connection with her. Randi was able to let go of taking responsibility for Barb's feelings if Barb felt hurt by this.

Is there always a way of breaking up or saying no to a relationship without someone getting hurt? No. But by gently speaking your truth, you can gracefully end a relationship, and if you accept that another's feelings come from his or her belief system, then you won't feel guilty if the other person feels hurt.

Heal your relationship with Dr. Margaret Paul’s Intimate Relationship Toolbox, a 12-week online course.

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