Dear Dolly

“The last time I was getting over someone, a very wise friend said to me gently: ‘You know, no one should have the power to ruin your life by breaking up with you.’ He was right, of course. If you’re in a relationship where you think your entire purpose or self-esteem is dependent on the fact of the other person loving you for ever, something has gone wrong. My life was never their property to ruin, just as you should never feel like his is yours. Now is the time to be brave and honest. He will find love again, just like you will, and both of you will be grateful that you made the decision to end a relationship that wasn’t right. You are allowing him to find someone to be with who really wants to be with him. One day he’ll know that was the real act of kindness.”