Keisha Shakespeare Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Are you stuck in a dead-end relationship? Does the voice of your significant other cut through your soul like a hot knife through butter? Or, do you feel like pulling a Kill Bill I and II on them just for fun? Then it is time to move on.

There is no easy way to break up, someone always gets hurt. As James Ingram sings, There's no easy way to break somebody's heart. But sometimes you just have to move on. There are several ways to break up, some more gracious than others. Clinical psychiatrist, Dr. Asquith Reid, said that ending a relationship abruptly is the most hurtful. He notes that before one decides to break up one should consider how meaningful the relationship was. It is much harder to break up if the relationship was meaningful, but sometimes the relationship just needs to end.

Dr. Reid pointed out that we live in a world of relationships where we have to get involved, with someone, even if it is not a passionate relationship. He notes that relationships are an integral and seminal part of life.

However, the relationship can reach a point where breaking up is the best thing, rather than remaining in a situation that makes you miserable. Below are a few ways people choose to break up.

1. Don't drag it out

When it is over, it's over. You're not doing your partner or yourself any favours by delaying the inevitable. Sooner is better than later.

2. Be honest

The oldest line is "it's me, not you. this might be easier, the only way you can truly help your partner is by being completely honest.

3. Don't overlap

The worst thing you can do is start seeing someone else before you tell your partner that it is over. It not only makes you look bad, but will also plant seeds of doubt in your new partner.

4. Abrupt ending

In this case the ending of the relationship comes as a surprise to one party. For example, one partner comes home only to see the house empty.

5. By telephone

Some will call to say it's over while others will be more dramatic and just leave a voice message. Better yet, they will send a text message.

6. By letter

Some people are not able to break up face to face so a letter does the job. In the letter, some will explain why, while others will not even have a return address.

7. In public

Even if you no longer like your partner, the worst thing you can do is dump him/her in a public place. It is the ultimate humiliation.

8. Face to face

Some people give the other party the dignity of breaking up face to face. They feel the need to talk it over. Sometimes by talking over things you may decide to give the relationship another try.

It is best to keep the discussion short and to the point, it only causes more hurt and pain by dragging it out.

These are some relatively civil ways of breaking up. Sometimes persons can use really devious ways to end a relationship. Do you have a weird, funny or really mean break-up? Then share it with us send you 'break-up stories to:

Flair, 7 North Street, Kingston or email: lifestyle@gleanerjm.com.

Next week's Flair we help you move on from a break up.