Breaking up is never easy, especially when you are the one doing the dumping. Being the dumper can make you feel pretty bad about yourself, even if your reasons for wanting out of the relationship are valid. If you are planning on ending a relationship, here's how to keep your morals intact, and break up like a grownup:

• Do it face to face: Breaking someone's heart is unpleasant, but avoiding them and taking the coward's way out is just plain disrespectful. You will help your ex by giving them some sort of closure, and you won't look like a jerk in the process.

• If you can't do it face to face, use the phone: If your soon-to-be ex is away for an extended period of time, and you can't wait until they get back -- use the phone. DO NOT BREAK UP VIA EMAIL OR TEXT! Dialogue is important, and the only fair way to resolve the situation.

• Give concrete reasons: If you have feelings for another person -- tell them; if you feel that the relationship is stagnant and you want to move on -- tell them. Whatever the reason -- tell them. Trying to be gentle and beating around the bush gives them a false sense of hope. Saying, "It's me not you," or "I just need to figure things out in my life right now" -- these are lame and don't afford the dumpee closure.

• Leave them alone after you have said your peace: Even if you are going to try to remain friends, give them space to get over you. Don't contact them first -- let them reach out to you.

Be OK with them hating you for a while: C'mon, you've been dumped before, these feelings are only natural. Give them their space to get over you and realize you are both better off.