Breaking up on text can be brutal, especially if you’ve been seeing someone for a while. It is one of the rudest and most insensitive ways to call it quits. But it’s 2024, folks, and you can break up over a text with some dignity and a dash of honesty. So, skip those ghosting plans ’cause it is time to do some adulting. It is quite normal to stop seeing people you don’t vibe with, but if you plan to do it over a message, here are some tips to soften the blow when you break up on a text.

When is it okay to break up with someone over text?

Before you break up over a text, consider how long you have been involved with someone. Breaking up is a tough job, and doing it over text can lead to a lot of miscommunication, especially if the tone doesn’t translate. If you’ve been seeing someone for over a year, refrain from breaking up on text ’cause that is straight-up shitty. But if you aren’t going to do it in person, here are some situations where doing it over text can be considered acceptable.

1. When you’ve just gone on a few dates

If you’ve met your match on a dating app, there will be a lot you don’t know about them. When things unfold and the vibe doesn’t match, you aren’t obligated to stick around. It is a perfect situation to be polite and let them know it is not working out for you. Nobody is in love yet, and there are no long-term plans (hopefully) in the pipeline. So, an honest and funny text like, ‘Loved hanging out with you, but I don’t think kuch kuch hota hai, love’, can get you out quickly and hurt nobody.

2. If you want to take a break

By a break, I don’t mean the classic ‘WE WERE ON A BREAK’ scenario. If you and your partner are going through a stressful time where you are constantly getting on each other’s nerves, it is time to take a break. And to keep things a little less intense, a text can do a good job. It could be a simple text like, ‘Hey, I think we make a great team, but we need a (drinks) break to cool down.’ But, if your partner isn’t a fan of texts, you may need to reconsider.

3. When confrontations scare you

Calling it quits from behind a screen can seem a lot less daunting than having a one-on-one conversation. A sensitive text could help your case if you are scared of confrontations. A simple text like, ‘Hey, sorry to do this over text, but it would break my heart to do this in person,’ followed by your reasons for breaking up can work like a charm.

4. A friend sets you up with their friend

Ideally, you should be thankful for having such a friend. But sometimes, a tag-along friend comes into the picture, and you get set up with them. Meeting someone through a friend makes it a little awkward to call it quits because the dynamics can get affected. Nonetheless, be transparent and let the person know it isn’t working for you. Something along the lines of, ‘It was XYZ who made us meet, but it is fate that we can’t be together anymore. So, let’s blame the universe and move on.’ Bam!

5. When your FWB develops feelings for you

Yikes! It is one of the most delicate situations for any person to deal with, and you could be unprepared for it. A physical relationship where one person catches feelings can end badly in so many ways. In such a scenario, you need to be honest and not put yourself or the other person in a tricky spot. You can drop them a text saying, ‘Loved being your booty call, not sure if I will make a good shoulder to cry on’.

Tips to break up on text

Now that you know what’s appropriate and what’s not, it’s time to frame that heartbreaking text. You don’t have to get creative and write a viral text. You just have to be honest and mindful and keep things short and sweet. So, here are some tips to keep in mind.

1. Nobody wants a script in the name of a breakup text

Keep your text short, to the point, and sweet. Nobody wants an 18-page letter front and back, IYKYK. Instead of writing ‘Dearest xyz blah blah blah’, go with something that allows you to put your feelings in place instead of trying to please the other party too much. You are breaking up with them, not sending them a job offer.

2. Skip the classic ‘It’s not you, it’s me’

Yes, yes, we get that jazz. Everybody knows it since you are the one calling it quits. Nobody needs the classic ‘It’s not you, it’s me’ anywhere in the body of the text. A good tip to break up over text is to avoid such cliches and just write what you honestly feel.

3. Be clear, and don’t leave room for reconciliation

Breaking up on text will always be tricky, but you have to be clear and concise. Don’t leave room for the other party to make assumptions or interpretations. Make it clear that you don’t want to take the relationship forward.

4. Avoid using too many emojis

You’re not wishing them a birthday, you are breaking up with them. So, your tone needs to be mature and serious. Keep your breakup text clean, simple, and emoji-free.

5. Let your friends go over the text once

You might end up making silly mistakes when you’re in the heat of the moment. So, after doing a thorough check yourself, send that text to your friends for final approval. Once you get the edited text back, send it to your soon-to-be ex, go offline, and don’t keep checking your phone every five seconds.

Happy breaking up, folks!

Related: Is Your Ex Over You? Take This Quiz And Find Out