I’m a 21-year-old boy and will be graduating this year. I’ve been seeing my girlfriend since I was 15. But I’m tired of this relationship and I think she is too. We fight all the time and it’s as if we are clinging to each other just because we are comfortable. I’ll be leaving the city this year and I want a clean slate when I start over in Delhi. I don’t want to hurt her. What do I do?

Name and address withheld

Whatever you do decide, it is important that you take your girlfriend into confidence. Six years is a long time and a clean slate will not be as easy as you imagine. Tell her what is bothering you about this relationship. Maybe she feels the same way. Don’t break up in haste. Who knows — maybe some time apart is what you two need.

Also remember that you are very young. It could be that you have grown out of it, which is something you shouldn’t ignore.