In a perfect world, both parties in a romantic relationship can sense if and when it’s time to move on, and can come to a respectful agreement that parting ways is the best thing for everyone involved.

In the real world this is hardly ever the case, and one person comes to the realization sooner and has to basically force it on the other…which is not fun.

These 10 people are the bad guys who had to dump people still in love with them, and their confessions below are about how it went.

10. It’s definitely not.

If it were, though, it might not be so sweet either.

9. They probably did the right thing.

Consequences have actions, sir.

8. Sometimes white lies are for the best.

If you don’t have to hurt someone, maybe don’t.

7. Their lifestyles didn’t line up.

You have to know what’s important to you and what’s a dealbreaker.

6. They did the right thing.

No matter how rough it was in the moment.

5. Sometimes you just gotta be brave.

Or deal with the fallout of your choices.

4. It’s never easy to breakup.

No matter what side of the conversation you’re on.

3. That’s an awkward conversation.

But maybe it’s not too late.

2. That’s just how life goes sometimes.

No one ever said it was gonna be easy, bud.

1. Growing up is necessary.

Sometimes you can’t do that alongside someone else.

It’s never easy to be the one breaking the hearts, despite what we might believe.

If you’ve had to leave someone who was still 100% in love with you, tell us in the comments what that experience taught you.