Breaking up is often the hardest part of any relationship. Even if you are the one doing the breaking up, it can be almost painful to say what's true for you and what your reasons are knowing you are probably causing the other person enormous pain. There also the feeling of being blamed for having caused that pain and the guilt of that and for many people then feeling angry at having to justify their feelings. Also, there never really seems to be a best time for it no matter how one might plan for it. This is why people often avoid doing it or do it in such a fashion that comes as such a shock to the other person. They just stop calling or start avoiding the other person. Or they find some way of delivering the news that seemingly requires very little effort on their part or avoids face to face confrontation. Think of Britney Spears text-messaging Kevin Federline, telling him she wanted a divorce. Depending upon the situation, that can either seem the most cowardly way to approach telling the other person or, if that person is afraid of a physical confrontation or doesn't want to endure an abusive tirade from the other person, may actually be the best way to do it. Whether you like Britney or not, she may have had very good reason to do it that way.

For the person who is the dumpee, the experience can be anywhere from ego-shattering for a few days to emotionally devasting lasting years to actually being relieved that the other person did it first. Something very important to remember though, most break ups, even divorces are more often than not blessings in disguise and opportunities to move on to better relationships and a better life. We learn very important things about character, courage, and integrity, both in others and in ourselves through relationships and breaking up. Though sadly, this news doesn't make break ups any less painful to get through.