My girlfriend and I recently broke up. It was mostly amicable as we realized we each just wanted different things from a relationship. And I say “mostly” because she was convinced that she could mold me into being exactly what she wanted. I honestly don’t know if she’s mad at herself for failing or has convinced herself that I’m intentionally fighting her mental programming. Probably a bit of both.

The main point of contention is that she’s the type who thinks that people in a relationship should be with each other as close to twenty-four-seven as possible, while I desperately need time to rest and recharge after a long day of work or socializing. Yes, of course, I love her, but after eight-ish hours of working, between obnoxious clients and clueless delivery people, I’m just exhausted, and an instantaneous affection-bomb is grating rather than gratifying.

We broke up before we fully moved in together, but she was already spending more time at my place than hers. We have our big talk on Wednesday, and then on Saturday I help her pack up the assorted toiletries, mementos, clothes, etc., that have made their way into my apartment and bid her farewell. Then, on Tuesday, I remember I actually have a social media profile on a couple of sites and switch my status to “Single”.

And then, the texts begin.

Ex-Girlfriend: “So, that’s how it is, huh?”

Me: “What?”

Ex-Girlfriend: “Just dropping it all?”

Me: “What do you mean?”

Ex-Girlfriend: “Twitter, Facebook, everything!”

Me: “I still don’t get it.”

Ex-Girlfriend: “YOU CHANGED THEM TO ‘SINGLE’!”

Me: “Yeah? Because we’re not together anymore?”

Ex-Girlfriend: “YOU’RE JUST WILLING TO DROP ME LIKE THAT!?”

Me: “[Ex-Girlfriend], we talked for three hours the other night. After a lot of other talks. Neither of us can give the other one what they need.”

Ex-Girlfriend: “BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT TRYING HARD ENOUGH!”

Me: “Hey, remember how I said it’s that sort of talk that made me realize we couldn’t be together?”

Ex-Girlfriend: “YOU NEED TO FIGHT TO GET ME BACK! THAT’S HOW THIS WORKS!”

Me: “No, it’s not. Find someone else with the energy to deal with you.”

I blocked her phone number after that. Surprisingly, I didn’t start getting bombarded everywhere else. I’m certain she’s bad-mouthing me to all her friends and family and online acquaintances, but personally, I’m just happy to go to bed without severe brain-strain more than one or two nights a week.