Dear Charlotte,

I don’t know how to break up with my boyfriend before Valentine’s Day. It’s really stressful and I don’t want to be seen as the bad guy (girl).

Sincerely,

Cat

Dear Cat,

First, let me congratulate you on saving the money that would have been wasted if you spent Valentine’s Day with him in the first place. I don’t know how long you two have been together and though part of me wants to say do it over text—that would be horrible. Funny—but horrible.  You shouldn’t have to stay with someone who doesn’t make you happy and worrying about them is only going to give you more stress. For now, take a breath and realize that your top priority is you.

You’re only dating, that’s just testing the waters. You are in no way, shape, or form committed to him. The best thing is to talk to him in person. Ask to meet up when you know he’s free. You should tell him that you just don’t feel like being in that relationship is very beneficial and you don’t feel what you think you should be feeling.

Trust me; it won’t be the end of the world. His feelings may or may not be hurt and that should be expected. Stalling on the breakup for too long could be seen as stringing him along if you’re not careful. Don’t be too brash, but rip that bandage off and tell him like it is.

If he gets a little heartbroken, oh well, it had to be done. He will pick up his life and move on, eventually. High school relationships are tricky because they rarely work out to be something more than a high school sweetheart, but then again people move on so quickly these days it’s giving everyone whiplash.

A little advice for spending Valentine’s Day alone, ice cream, chocolate, “The Notebook,” “The Best of Me,” and a puppy.  Trust me, it works.

Love and Rockets,

Charlotte