Why the holiday season sees the most breakups

Summary

As the holiday season approaches, dating experts predict a surge in breakups, particularly with the added pressure of family, finances, and holiday events. Rory Uphold, author of 'A Final Girl's Guide to the Horrors of Dating,' discusses why this period is peak breakup season. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication, urging people not to ghost their partners and to offer closure. For those heartbroken, Rory offers advice to embrace new beginnings and move forward with clarity and self-empowerment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Breakups peak around the holidays, known as 'turkey drop,' due to added pressures from family, finances, and upcoming holiday events.
• 🎁 The holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and Valentine's Day, is a tough time for relationships.
• 👩‍🎓 College students returning home for the holidays often realize they want to break up with their hometown partners.
• 💔 Uncertainty in a relationship or not knowing where you stand makes people more vulnerable to breakups during this time.
• ⏰ Timing matters: If you know you want to break up, don't waste time, as you can't get that time back.
• 💡 Breakups often lead to self-betrayal when people reflect on missed red flags or ignored issues in their relationship.
• 💔 If you've just been dumped, remember that it will get better over time, and seeing it as a new beginning helps with healing.
• 🗣️ Communication is key—both for those who want to break up and for those who are heartbroken. Open and honest conversations are necessary.
• 🔒 Ghosting is not acceptable—having an uncomfortable conversation provides clarity and is a form of kindness and closure.
• 🛑 Blocking someone after a breakup is a helpful way to create closure and avoid lingering emotional complications.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video transcript?

The discussion focuses on the 'turkey drop,' a period during the weeks before the holidays when breakups tend to peak due to increased emotional, social, and financial pressures.

Why do dating experts consider this time of year the peak breakup season?

Experts explain that holiday-related pressures—such as family gatherings, social events, financial expectations, and defining the relationship—make this period particularly stressful, leading many couples to split.

What role does coming home from college play in the spike of breakups?

Many college students return home and realize they no longer want to continue their relationship with their hometown significant other, contributing to breakup rates.

What upcoming holidays contribute to the pressure on relationships during this period?

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and Valentine's Day all add social and financial expectations that can intensify relationship stress.

According to Rory Uphold, who is most vulnerable to being broken up with during this season?

Anyone who is uncertain about where they stand in their relationship is particularly vulnerable, making clarity and communication essential.

Is there ever a 'right time' to break up with someone, according to the expert?

Rory suggests that if someone knows they want to end a relationship, they should do it sooner rather than later, as time is the one thing that can't be recovered.

What common emotional issue does Rory highlight when discussing past relationships?

She mentions the feeling of self-betrayal—ignoring red flags or staying too long in relationships—leading to regret about wasted time.

What advice does Rory give to those who have recently been dumped?

She encourages them to see the breakup as a new beginning, emphasizing that healing becomes faster when they shift their perspective toward future possibilities.

What communication advice does Rory offer to people planning to end a relationship?

She urges people not to ghost but instead practice clear, direct communication. She emphasizes that clarity is kindness and that closure is important.

Why does Rory discourage leaving the door open after a breakup?

Leaving ambiguity can lead to confusion and emotional distress. Providing clear closure helps both individuals move forward cleanly and respectfully.

What humorous suggestion was mentioned about handling post-breakup communication?

The idea of creating a 'graveyard' in one’s phone—blocking numbers and social media—was mentioned jokingly as a way to finalize a breakup.