Breakup? 🙄

Lately I have not been feeling the same spark towards my bf who we have been dating for 8 months. The main thing is that I believe the long distance have affect us a lot ( the way I see it). In addition, im going to a phase in my life that requires dedication to my future career now that I have to work plus study at the same time. I have talked to him about it, he understands but still I have a strong instinct that tells me things are not as they were before ( we are not in the same page anymore). Therefore, I have been thinking to give him space and looking for the right time to dump him by phone or in person. However, I don't want to break his heart plus decide the wrong way on how to dump him. Any advice??