When do you throw in the towel and break up?

I know each relationship is different but, for you, generally speaking;
When do you let go? DO YOU let go or do you wait for the other person to do it for you? Do you try to set it up for them to want to break up w/ you so you dont have to do the dirty work?
I think this kinda goes w/ the settling vs. reaching topic. I'm referring to dating/liking each other but not seeing a progression to the next level. I think its usually mutually understood but how do you handle it?
I've read where a lot of people (esp those w/ biological clocks) give it a certain amount of time to progress and then give up if expectations arent met. Other people look for signs/signals or wait til they find someone else who catches their eye. I've seen a lot of 'waiting' in other forums and it made me wonder, how long do most people hang in there?

(gender and sign & age requested w/ responses if you care to share it)

Jamie Foxx once said that "Relationships are nothing more than 2 people who are waiting for something better to come along." Sometimes, I believe this to be true.

When do you throw in the towel? When your problems within the relationship are NOT fixable (for whatever reason)...when you feel alone, betrayed, broken, or like you've lost your connection, which defeats the purpose of having a companion anyways...when you are losing more than you're gaining by staying with that person...when that person is no longer enhancing your life in any kind(s) of ways...It's time to leave when you're no longer in love and/or when being loyal is no longer something you naturally want to be for that person...When you're more comfortable with the aspect of being with someone else instead of your own partner...You just "know"

It's hard for me to feel sorry for those who know they're not happy AND know that things won't change, but yet still stay in the relationship, refusing to break it off 1st. When people are afraid to have a backbone or face the truth, they're only cheating themselves out of happiness.

Why should someone ELSE have to be the 1 to tell you that the relationship oughta end? If you're not happy, why wait for someone else to hold the key or remote control? Why have such lack of faith in yourself that you'd rather someone else break up with you & bring you 1 step closer to the person who really WILL make you happy? Why should someone else have to FORCE you or leave no choice but to go chase your own happiness & standards

As with anything, people will NEVER take care of YOUR things the way they will their own. When you allow your own happiness & wellbeing to be in the hands of everyone BUT you, it indicates a serious breach/lack of self-esteem.

You've got way MORE to lose by staying in an unhappy situation than you do to gain by staying. No ifs, ands or buts. You're NOT doing your partner any favors by "settling" for them b/c trust me, even though we all hate being dumped, we all still appreciate someone who won't continue to waste our time

I feel ya Girl! Can always count on you for a well-thought response 🙂
It will be interesting to see if/how others respond b/c I know we're all different when it comes to break ups. They are hard to do!
and btw, I want to be clear that I dont mean a date or two w/ someone but ending a 'dating' relationship.

I hope the men will chime in on this! I think maybe they are the passive breaker-uppers...

@Krysrenee..Amen!! @ quietstorm..agreed! When you are no longer being met halfway..when being with that person weights on your spirits. When you realize the person complicates your life style rather than compliments it. When you know in your heart of hearts you stuck it out and tried to make things work & can walk away with a clear conscience...when you love yourself enough to know when its time to walk

Posted by QuietSt0rm
Some people will say that this is selfish, and that you never really loved him to begin with.. blah blah blah. But it's important to love yourself first and if he's taking away from that, well then he has to go!

DING DING DING! Bingo! People forget that being loyal to someone else does NOT mean that you have to drop being loyal to self. There's NO point of a relationship unless you can be loyal to BOTH yourself & that person at the SAME time.

Being a "ride or die" for someone is only worth it when they're worth it. There's nothing left to feel but resentment when you realize you're spending all your life trying to be superwoman for someone who would leave you in a heartbeat with no hesitation persay the tables were turned.

Yes, love is patient, forgiving and blah blah blah, BUT loving someone else FIRST requires love of self. That oughta be a person's main priority & focus 1st before trying to introduce a new prospect into their lives. Sadly some people don't see it that way...& that's why they always "coincidentally" end up in failing relationships. Low self-esteem & lack of loyalty to self is always the COMMON DENOMINATOR in failed relationships