7 Valid Reasons To End A Relationship With Someone You Love

Even if everything in your relationship seems picture-perfect, there's also the possibility that you simply need some time to grow and evolve on your own instead of being in a relationship — and you shouldn't feel guilty if that's what you decide is best.

"While a healthy relationship is certainly a beautiful thing, there are also plenty of benefits to staying single as well," Logan Cohen, LMFT-S, tells Bustle. "Someone who is single can have their immediate surroundings reflect their specific needs much more consistently than if in a partnership. Single people also have a lot more time to develop their platonic social network, grow professionally, and even do their own personal growth work while not being distracted by the concerns of a partner."

If you feel like you have more growing to do and it needs to be done solo, there’s no amount of waiting it out that will negate the feeling. It’s natural, normal, and totally OK to let go of someone you love if you realize that’s what you need. And who knows? After a time of learning and evolving as individuals, you might find your way back together in an even better relationship than before.

Ultimately, if you're unhappy in your relationship, you don't need one specific reason that you feel "allows" you to initiate a breakup — you should always feel empowered to make whatever choice is necessary for you to find happiness going forward. Is it tough to break up with someone who you still feel a lot of love towards? Of course, but if you know the relationship isn't going to work, it's better for both of you in the long run to go your separate ways.

Experts:

Julie Spira, online dating expert and digital matchmaker

Justin Lavelle, relationship expert and chief communications officer for BeenVerified

Jonathan Bennett, dating and relationship expert at Double Trust Dating

Toni Coleman, LCSW, CMC, psychotherapist, relationship coach, and divorce mediator at Consum-mate

Logan Cohen, LMFT-S