A break up is a break up any way you look at it. The relationship has run its course and started to fall apart. The problem with long distance relationships is that there is always the excuse that distance is what killed the spark. This can be both true and not true. If the relationship sank under the weight of non contact or distance, it was not on solid enough ground to establish a way to fulfill the needs of one or either party. Can it spark back up in the future? Sure. But most of the time, one or both parties are in a different place, or mindset or with another partner by that point. So reliving lost love is a rarity.
But when the break up is inevitable, here are a few steps to insure a clean, less emotional falling out. Not all steps work, but you can improvise to fit your situation. Please remember that a relationship started with two individuals that brought something to the connection. There is really no need to trash the other person just to make yourself feel better. 9/10 you won't. That is because, if the relationship meant anything in the first place. The other person has a part of you inside them. Why hurt yourself?
5 Long Distance Break Up Tips
#1. Clean break! If you keep putting it off, you will only be hurting yourself. If you must end it, end it quick and clean. No amount of 'I'm sorry' is going to ever make either partner feel better. Time will heal the both of you. But the important part of ending a long distance relationship is creating distance between both partners.
#2 Honesty is the best policy. Don't make up excuses. Lay it out. Say it. Start the healing process. You could come up with a long string of lies and rationalizations, but honesty will always win out. If it doesn't work. It doesn't work. Don't try to fool yourself. Be even more honest with yourself and it will lead to an easier break.
#3 Keep mementos... Send back remainders. If you have all of his suits in a back closet, send them back. If he has all of your Mom's pottery, ask for them back politely and calmly. List all things that you share together. If you have to split things up, one of you do the splitting while allowing the other to choose first.
#4 Do not make threats or angry plans of action. Do not tell her that you are going to EHarmony or some dating service immediately. Just accept the inevitable and move on graciously. Impossible? Sometimes. But if you do meet someone on serious later, it is better that they do not know that they were the ones that threw you in their arms.
#5 Remain friends forever? Maybe acquaintances. A break up means loss of shared family and friends. If you visit him or her you are only opening yourself to new and convoluted feelings. If you make the break. Follow the course and make the break. See #1 above.
You are not a coward to break up because of distance. it happens all the time. Like any relationship, if it was meant to be... it was meant to be. A true relationship involves trust, growth and most of all contact. Some can handle distance, others can't! Follow the steps listed above and you will be on your way to a saner, safer and faster break up and recovery from your long distance relationship.