You have tried and plowed on through this relationship. You have dedicated time and tears to this person who means very much to you. And yet, it is not enough.
No one ever said that relationships were easy. In fact, we are all aware that a relationship is a complex maze of understanding yourself and what you want in a partner. That process can take months, often years, to develop, and even then you may discover bumps and pitfalls that can bring an end to what you were so invested in. All relationships are unique in their own ways, so hard-and-fast and black-and-white dating rules rarely apply.
How do you decide whether it’s time to let go? Realizing that a relationship should end is equally terrifying and heartbreaking, and oftentimes, it's a long emotional process. There are doubts and even more doubts about the doubts. The wonderful memories of your significant other can flood your mind and reignite your original passion. It is much easier to remember the good times and push aside the bad ones, like an insignificant nightmare.
But those bad memories are important, too. They can indicate important components of your relationship that you didn’t think of before. It’s true that healthy relationships include fights and difficult times, but there comes a point when the lack of communication and connection needs to be the final straw.
We said before that relationships are about discovering more about yourself and what you want. Even if it’s painful, consider this Does this person help me be myself? Are you the best you that YOU can be when your partner is near? If that answer is no, then letting go of the relationship is the best choice. We say that making compromises is important in a relationship, and that is certainly true, but if your overall personality, your beliefs or your dreams are hindered or constrained by the person, then that is not acceptable.
One of the most important parts of life is loving and understanding the deepest parts of ourselves. The only romantic partner that is worth keeping is one that supports our self-discovery. Letting go of someone can be very painful, but life is short. So, carpe diem, carpe noctem, seize yourself, and do not look back.
