You both know you want to break up. But neither of you want to do it first out of guilt. How do you approach the topic with breaking hearts?

Breakup is always tough there is no denying that. But so is living a lie. What is the point of relation when both the parties are looking for an escape plan? So be honest and open about it! Dont say that you want it too and play blame game just clear your side of things and the other partner would also grab the opportunity to come clean :) Best Of Luck (y)

There would be no easy way to do this but you could say something like "I know that you know that this relationship is coming to a close but I don't want to leave on a sour note. I am thankful for you being there for me and shaping me into who I am today. Even if it was only for a short while I was happy that our paths crossed. I sincerely hope we can still be friends."

Talk to them face to face. Ask your significant other how they feel about the relationship, and then tell them what you think you guys should do.

By talking about the future of the relationship...both of us would then begin on a positive note...rather than ending the relationship by blaming each other...

You have to leave each other or neither of you are gonna move on. The guilt that comes from the breakup is not that of you hurt that person but its of why you did not let that person go early to move on. Be honest with each other and talk about it, make a decision and stick with it.

Approach the situation in a civil way, try to say things like "can we remain friends after?" or "where can we go from here?"

It is important to consider the feelings of not only your significant other, but also yourself. Although it may be painful, it is best to do what will benefit both partners in the long run.

Listen I get that's is hard to bring this up but just seat down with your partner and bring everything out get everything out of your chest is none of y'all are happy then is time for both of y'all to take your way don't hurt both of y'all more if y'all don't want to be in it it's ok just be honest

Unfortunately, in these cases, I do not think there is any way that someone in the relationship is not going to be hurt even if both parties want to break up. However, the damage for both parties can be mitigated if honesty and clarity is applied. When I was in this situation, I finally realized that the easiest way was to sit down with my partner and say, those magic words, "I really, really like you but I do not think we should be together any longer. Then you wait for your partner to give a sigh of relief and agree that you will remain friends, but move on.

Maybe openly addressing and acknowledging the tension and come to a mutual separation and/or understanding. You do not necessarily have to have one person enact the break up. If the other party feels the same way like you assume, It won't offend them may even lift some stress off their head as they may not have known themselves how to bring it up. A breakup on mutual terms might preserve a great friendship if there is one to be had. Hope this helps you think about it in a different light. I am sure whatever way you deal with this it will pan out alright.