I’m a 23-year-old guy and I've been thinking about breaking up with my girlfriend, who is 22, for more than a year now. However, I’m really worried about hurting her feelings. I could use some advice.

Hi everyone, I want to share some feelings I’ve been grappling with lately. I've noticed that the connection in our relationship seems to be fading, and this realization has been a gradual process for me. There was a time when we were deeply in love, but early in our relationship, I was accepted into a challenging medical program that is situated about three hours away from where we live. This long-distance dynamic has been a part of our relationship from almost the start, and to be completely honest, it's taken a toll on both of us. It's difficult to go months without seeing each other, and I believe this distance has contributed to my feelings of growing apart. A unique aspect of our relationship is my partner’s anxiety about driving. While she does drive, it’s usually only when absolutely necessary, which means that I've been the one making the journey home to see her. I've tried my best to visit as often as possible since starting the program, but as my studies have intensified, my time for travel has diminished. Sometimes, I can barely find time to take care of myself, and I know that’s not fair to her. It’s not uncommon for us to go for months without seeing each other. My classes take around ten hours a day, and since phones aren’t allowed, we face further communication barriers. By the time I finish my day, she’s often winding down for bed. Most of my time lately has been dedicated to my studies, and on top of that, I'm working full time to cover my bills and tuition. While she’s been understanding of my limited availability, I feel as if I'm not contributing enough to our relationship, which feels incredibly unfair to her. I’m approaching graduation soon, and I’ve accepted a position at my dream hospital—the place I’ve always wanted to work. This new job will distance us even more, as it’s a night shift role, meaning I’ll be extremely busy, especially during my first year. She still has about a year and a half left until her graduation, which means it could be at least two years before we can see each other regularly. She is an amazing person and truly deserves the best, and I need to acknowledge that letting her go might be the right thing. She has so much love to share and deserves someone who can reciprocate that fully. While there’s no reason I should feel anything but love for her—she embodies so many of the qualities I admire—I recognize that this is the best path for both of us. I’ve never ended a relationship before, and I’m unsure how to start such a difficult conversation. How should I approach this? What should I say? The phrase "We need to talk" feels so intimidating. I would appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation and what I should communicate. I don’t view myself as a bad person, but I feel guilty about the hurt this will cause her. I know it will be tough for both of us, but I believe it’s necessary.