How You Gonna Up And Leave Like That

Seriously though. How *you* gonna up and leave like that?

The Phantom Disappearing Act

It's a tale as old as time. Or at least, as old as that friend you haven't seen in, well, *years*.

One minute they're there, grabbing brunch and spilling the tea. The next? Poof! Gone.

No explanation. No forwarding address. Just radio silence. How rude.

The Graduation Gut Punch

We're all pals in college. It's like summer camp, but with more all-nighters and questionable pizza.

Then graduation hits. People scatters like leaves in the wind. Suddenly you don't exist in their world, a forgotten entry of the "Facebook Friend" list.

How am I going to know what your kids look like?

Job Hopping Houdinis

You bond with coworkers over shared misery and the horrors of the coffee machine. You share dreams of finally winning the lottery.

Then someone gets a better offer. We get it. But the swift exit? No goodbye email? Cold.

At least leave a note with who's turn it is to buy the doughnuts.

The Romantic Renegades

Okay, this one stings the most. We've all been there, right? You're dating someone, things are going okay, maybe even great. And then *bam*.

Ghosted. Vanished. Like they were never even there. I mean, come on, where is the respect?

You just deserved a text! Preferably a paragraph.

The Modern Disconnect?

Is it the modern world? Are we all just too busy to maintain connections? Too distracted to properly say goodbye?

Maybe. But I still think a little courtesy goes a long way.

A simple "Hey, moving on, but it was nice knowing you" wouldn't kill anyone, right?

Social Media Savants

We’re hyper-connected online, but utterly disconnected IRL. It’s a strange paradox.

We see their perfectly curated lives on Instagram, but never hear from them directly. Is it real life or a highly sophisticated simulation?

Answer the phone, Kevin!

The Unpopular Opinion

Here's my unpopular opinion: up-and-leaving is almost always a jerk move. Unless you're escaping a truly toxic situation, of course. Then, run like the wind, friend!

But for the everyday disappearing acts? Come on! We deserve better.

A little closure, a little explanation, a little "see you later" goes a long way. Don't you think?

The Call to Action (Sort Of)

Next time you're thinking of doing a disappearing act, maybe pause. Consider the feelings of those you're leaving behind.

A quick message can save someone from feeling like they're living in a sitcom where they forgot the punchline. Even if they do nothing for you anymore.

You might even get a free coffee out of it. Just saying.