Sometimes, even when people love and care about each other, relationships end. A couple might discover they have different values, like one wants children and the other doesn’t. Sometimes, couples are forced to live far apart and the relationship can’t survive the distance. Other times, two people have differences that make the relationship unhealthy for one or both. And sometimes, the fizz just fades.

It takes time to know if someone is right for you. If you’ve lost interest, chances are you need time alone and maybe time to date other people. So you have to work up the courage to talk to your partner about your feelings.

Sometimes, when couples can come to a decision together about a relationship, there’s a lot less anger than if one person just ends it. So, maybe instead of saying it’s over for good, you just “take a break.” That can give you the space you need to decide how you really feel.

It’s not always possible to come to an agreement. And that usually means angry, hurt feelings. But even these are better than staying in a relationship that’s no longer working.