The Digital Break-Up: Is it An Acceptable Way of Ending It?

Breaking up with someone is hard. It may be the hardest thing that you need to do in a relationship. And yet, once you’ve weighed in all the options in your head for a bit, sometimes it seems like the only reasonable step which you can take. As easy as it can seem to break-up with someone through message or social media, there are a few things that you need to consider that new way of breaking-up. In this article, we discuss some of the pros and cons of a digital break-up so you can make up your mind as to whether this is an acceptable way to end things with your partner.

Breaking up in person

Breaking up in person is the royal way of breaking up with someone. It can also be the hardest and the most daunting. In some cases, breaking up with someone in person seems so overwhelming that we put off the actual break up for weeks or months on end. But it need not be that intimidating. If your partner is someone you trust and respect, breaking up in person is a nice way to give this person a proper goodbye, as you may not see each other in a long time. Keep your breakup quiet, respectful, and in a private place. Give the person time to express their emotions. Overall, it may be the best way to do things.

Text messaging

Breaking up over text message is becoming increasingly popular, but is it acceptable? The first thing you need to know is that your partner will likely be upset at you for breaking up over the message. They might think, why did they not have the guts to tell me in person? Do I not deserve a proper break-up? Did our relationship mean so little to them?

It’s your role to reassure your partner that even though you are breaking up over message, you do genuinely value them. And please, keep in contact with them. They will likely want to talk about it, so be open to have an honest discussion, take the time to answer their questions, and do it all with the respect that they deserve. Just because this person is not right for you doesn’t mean that they deserve to feel lesser for being broken up with over text.

What if it was an abusive relationship?

A digital break-up is a slightly different affair in the case of ending an abusive relationship. If you do not feel safe around your partner and are worried that they may become verbally or physically violent, if you break up with them in person, it is a much better idea to keep the process digital. While ghosting is the worst way of breaking up with someone, it is acceptable if the person who you are leaving was abusing you. You need to put yourself first and remember that you do not owe your abuser an apology or an explanation.

A Note from GR8NESS

Breaking up digitally is a controversial topic, and a lot depends on the type of relationship which you and your partner share. In most cases, keep the break-up in person, and only message if you feel that this is too hard for you. And don’t assume that breaking up over message will make things easier for you. Your partner will need an explanation as to why you decided to take this less-than-perfect road.