The weather is starting to break, the days are longer and your favorite college hoops teams have gone mad. You know what that means: It's spring breakup season.
Remember those relationships that formed in the fall? Yeah, many of those aren't going to be looking too good in the weeks ahead.
Sure, a lot of singles paired up and hunkered down to ride out the winter dating scene. That's only natural. But now that flowers will soon be in bloom, so are new possibilities for hookups and romance with the warm weather approaching.
Just so you're not caught off-guard by your mate trying to make an exit-or if you're looking for a few ways to gracefully bow out-this is what spring breakup season usually looks like.
The girls' night out
Guys, if you notice your girl gradually going out more often without you, she may be testing the waters. Putting out some feelers in the dating pool-without you blocking her potential action-is one of the first signs things are about to change. I'm not trying to make anyone overly sensitive about your lady stepping out with the girls ... I'm just saying.
A new crew
A lot of guys get a second wind during this time of year. He's worked out a little more, maybe gotten a new job or car and is feeling pretty good about himself. So those girls he had no chance of getting last year? Now he feels like he's got a legitimate shot. If he's hanging with a seemingly different crowd or frequenting new hangouts, it may mean he's trying to step up his game and, in the process, step away from the relationship.
Picking fights
Notice more arguing? Disagreements out of the blue? Does it seem like your partner's agenda has changed? You're not crazy. Starting random arguments and creating an overall sense of discontentment is an escape tactic used by countless people for centuries, especially during this time of year.
Complimenting your friends
It's painful to say, but If you weren't your partner 's first choice to begin with, you can pretty much guarantee a vanishing act. If you've noticed your man or woman commenting on how cute your friends are or how they're surprised that so and so doesn't have someone, they may actually be that thinly veiled "someone" and looking to find out the answer to that question themselves.
Remember, not all breakups make up, so if you're thinking of utilizing any of these semi-sleazy moves, be sure you're over your current mate. But if you're looking to go from a Demi Moore to a Mila Kunis, the reward may just be worth the risk, right Ashton?
Anthony Roberts is a RedEye special contributor.
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