I Can’t Break Up With Him

Dear Rich,

I’ve been with my boyfriend for just over a year and I have tried to break up with him a couple of times but he cries and begs me not to leave him. I feel constricted in the relationship and don’t feel as though he’s giving me the space I need and deserve. He’s a great guy and I love him to pieces – I’m just not sure I want to be in a relationship anymore. I’m scared he’s going to do something stupid if I finally break it off…what should I do?

Lisa, 21 Wales

Dear Lisa,

This is a very difficult position to be in but ultimately you must think about your own happiness. My advice to you would be to sit down with him and tell him calmly but firmly that you are not happy in this relationship, despite your feelings for him. Ensure that you tell him that he’s a great guy and you’d love to be friends (if you feel this way) but this relationship has to end here. If you begs you and cries you must be strong, support him as a friend but you must stick to your decision as keep going backwards and forwards is unfair on you both and will only make him feel worse. Try and support him as best you can but at the end of the day he must face up to this with his friends and family as support. You are not responsible for him at all Lisa so don’t take on any guilty feelings.

Good luck – and remember, always look out for number one.

With Love,

Rich x