It’s time to give up the ghost(ing). Relationships are complicated — whether it’s a few digital dates, a lingering will-they-or-won’t-they situation, a long-term romance or even a friendship; it’s always your right to set boundaries and end them when they no longer serve you. There’s a big difference, however, between closing a chapter with someone and straight-up ghosting them.
Ghosting, in recent dating lexicon, refers to abruptly cutting off communication with someone without explanation and just disappearing into the ether, like a, well, ghost. It’s hurtful, disrespectful and also unfortunately super common. This is especially true now, as relationships during Covid-19 become more isolated and challenging to manage, with less seeming accountability given the limited in-person contact. While ghosting friends or romantic partners may seem like the easier way out, avoiding uncomfortable-but-necessary conversations may come back to haunt you (there goes that ghost reference again). Simply put, it’s just not a kind way to treat others and shows little personal integrity. If you don’t have the capacity to continue a relationship with someone, that’s OK but be brave and communicate that.
For some guidance on how best to do that, try one of these moves instead.
![Instead of silence, try honesty two women hugging](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Instead of silence, try honesty
![Instead of disappearing, try changing lanes Two people talking with mountain view in front of them](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Instead of disappearing, try changing lanes
![Instead of blaming someone else, try self-reflection woman sitting on rock looking out over water](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Instead of blaming someone else, try self-reflection
![Instead of indecision, try being brief woman texting with smartphone](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Instead of indecision, try being brief
![Instead of focusing on yourself, try putting yourself in their shoes two people in deep conversation standing in front of water](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Instead of focusing on yourself, try putting yourself in their shoes
![Instead of avoiding confrontation, try using tech woman texting with smartphone](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Instead of avoiding confrontation, try using tech
![Instead of going it alone, try asking for help two people texting with smartphones](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Instead of going it alone, try asking for help
![Instead of hiding from your mistakes, try apologizing two people hugging on cloudy day](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Instead of hiding from your mistakes, try apologizing
![Instead of lies, try authenticity woman standing outside on sunny day](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Instead of lies, try authenticity
![Instead of blocking, try talking two people having a conversation in front of water](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)