Breaking up over text is fast. It’s also the version they’ll tell people about for years.

How something ends becomes the story of the whole thing. A text spares you the hard few minutes and hands the other person a screenshot they will read again and show to friends. You get out quickly, and the way you got out is what sticks to your name.

If you need to end something, pick a place and say it in person, briefly and without a long list of faults. Decide beforehand the one sentence that is true and kind. If seeing them in person is not safe or possible, a call still gives them your voice.