Dating is a fun stage of getting to know someone that you are really interested in.
It's when you and the one you are dating are doing several activities together such as hanging out, eating together, watching movies, going to museums or somewhere nice, working out, and many more.
But dating someone is not an assurance that eventually, both of you are going to hit it off and fall in love with each other.
This stage is like a trial or testing stage wherein both of you are trying to find out if you are the best match for each other and if you can go on the next stage of establishing a formal relationship or not.
Now, if at the middle of the dating stage, you find out that he or she is not the right one for you, then you can definitely stop the dating process.
This is perfectly okay to do because you cannot continue dating someone that you realize you are not compatible with.
Instead of going through the possibility of a painful breakup or heartache if you continue on this path, it would be best to stop dating someone if you already know at this stage that you are not fit for each other.
This could save both of you from a lot of pain, tears, stress, and misery.
7 Different Ways On How To Stop Dating Someone
Here are some great ways to let your partner know things are over. While it's never easy, these should help make things end on a good note.
1) Talk to him/her privately
You never want to inform someone that you don't want to date them anymore in public where there are many prying ears and eyes around you.
Know that what you are going to say is going to be hard, somewhat painful, and a bit shaming.
Therefore, the best way to tell someone that you don't want to date them anymore is to talk to them in private. Since you are the one stopping the dating, you should be the one scheduling and setting up the talk somewhere nice and quiet.
By doing this, you will be able to express yourself properly and he/she will be able to understand and accept your side.
2) Write a heartfelt letter and have him/her read it in front of you
Some people are great talkers, but some are just more excellent in the written word.
If you are one of the latter, you can put your skill into good use. You can write a heartfelt letter that contains everything you want to say.
Write down your thoughts, feelings, and explanations.
You can do this in handwriting or you can just type it and print it out on a nice, clean paper.
Make sure that your letter is clear and complete and that its tone is friendly, warm, and sincere.
On the day you give your letter to him/her, do not leave him/her alone. Instead have him/her read it in front of you.
This way you can talk about it immediately afterwards.
3) Go to his/her place and have a sincere conversation
Another way to stop dating someone is to go to his/her place and have the conversation there.
Sometimes, when you go out to a restaurant and tell the other person there that you don't want to date them anymore, it might be hard for him/her to go home with the sad news.
If you go to his/her place and have the conversation there, it would be easier and less hassle for that person to handle the news.
Plus, you won't have to worry if he/she has safely got home since he/she is already at home.
4) Do not be harsh or disrespectful
Imagine if someone you like is going to tell you that they don't want to date you anymore.
Imagine that situation. It could be sad, painful, and embarrassing, right?
Now, once you go there and inform the person that you don't want to date him/her anymore, remember to be gentle, kind, understanding, and respectful.
If he/she initially gets upset or angry, be patient and understand the situation.
5) Give him/her a thank you, goodbye gift
This gift is meant to uplift the spirit of the one you're stopping to date.
It could be a book, a card, a song, or something that will make him/her happy even if you will be stopping dating each other.
The best thank you, goodbye gift is the one that will help capture the essence of your happy yet short time together.
This will definitely be appreciated by the person you are giving it to.
6) Be honest and tell him/her your reasons
When you arrive at the decision that you're going to stop dating this person, you must have your reasons, right?
Lying about your reasons for stopping dating someone is not going to help, and it could even aggravate the situation.
The best way is always the way of the truth.
Open your heart and be honest as you tell him/her your reasons for stopping dating him/her.
But remember to empathize with him/her and try your very best to not hurt him/her or cause even more pain.
7) Have a positive outlook and look at the brighter side
Stopping dating someone will open new doors and opportunities for you and the other person.
This is the future that both of you should hope for and look forward to.
After both of you have talked and understood each other, you should encourage each other to have a positive outlook and to look at the brighter side.
After all, every ending is always followed by a new beginning.
Conclusion
Stopping dating someone does not have to end up in a messy or chaotic situation.
It is best that when you realize that you don't want to date someone anymore, you do so in a nice way so that you can end it on a nice note.
This is very important since doing so will not cause further bitterness, anger, frustration, or stress on the person you're stopping dating.
Ending the relationship on a nice note will bring a great closure where both of you comes out of it better, stronger, and happier.