First of all, you did the right thing. If you know you’re stringing someone along, get out. That is the only proper thing to do. It gives her a earlier chance to find the man who is Mr. Right or to have fun being single.
I hope my daughter has a conscience like yours when she is dating. I’ve seen her react with the little boys her age and she’s a heartbreaker. I hope she always feels at least a little bad when she breaks up with someone in the future.
From personal experience, it is possible to be friends again after you break up but it will be different and it might take some time before you are comfortable at being alone together. Life is full of growth. This is a growing pain.
John, not only did you do the right thing, you did a difficult thing that many wouldn’t have done in your shoes.
But don’t negate it by not sticking to your guns. I too can’t stand to hurt others, but you may hurt her more by trying to stay friends. If she didn’t want the breakup, she may see your friendliness as the possibility of getting back into the relationship.
Hard, I know. But imagine how you’d feel if you had to do this again in 2 months, only worse, as she feels you have led her on.
I sympathise. When I want to break up with someone because I hate making people upset i generally turn into a bastard so they break up with me and feel better about it.