If you see your date/partner not working out, drop them at that moment. Your happiness should come from yourself, not by what you believe someone could give you in the future. Hope and partnership should not be your standards to finding happiness.

It is detrimental to you if you carry on a relationship you foresee not working out. If one person remotely sees incompatibility, it is doomed from there to not work.

Being honest sucks especially if you’re a “yes” person (like I was). But you’re an independent woman. You can feel empathy/sympathy for the person you broke up with, but don’t feel guilt. Everyone goes through sadness so you know that they’ll overcome it just like you did. If they don’t, you do not need to take responsibility for their future actions. You effectively vocalized a mature, responsible decision for your well-being.

Set boundaries and be blunt. I’m not saying you have to be hostile, but just honestly tell them it won’t work out. The ball is in their court and you are absolved from their future actions. If they decide to talk up a storm about how you’re this terrible person or keep contacting you, remember that’s not your fault. They just suck at taking rejection. They are ignorant that life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows.

It may hurt a moment that you made that decision, but very soon you will find solace, I assure you. Just remember that you are the bearer of your own, personalized happiness. Happiness given by someone else is incomparable to what you can give to your own self. That’s why it takes more time and trial to find self-happiness and self-love. It’s a journey worth taking.