Most fights are just two egos chasing the last word. Let yours go home early.

Past a certain point in an argument, nobody is trying to be understood. You are both trying to outlast each other, which means holding on until the other person runs out of replies. That is why a fight can continue long after you have forgotten what started it, and why winning one feels so thin an hour later.

Watch for the moment you stop listening and start loading your next line. That is your signal. Saying you are done for now can be done kindly. An unanswered message costs you nothing you will miss tomorrow.