Graceful Exits: Making the Case for Getting Good at Goodbye

Any life has many types of endings and exits (family, personal relationships, jobs, etc.), and life is equally full of bad exits that resonate for years after. Former business manager Suster’s central thesis is that exits are completely normal, and each person must develop the skills to manage them positively, with the least amount of trauma for all parties. The author tackles common types of exits, as well as the most difficult kinds often ignored or deliberately repressed by society (e.g., leaving others’ expectations behind in order to become one’s authentic self; or death, the ultimate exit). The book is organized by major categories of relationships. Each chapter outlines the common, albeit negative, exit scenarios, then follows with better, more positive strategies. Each section ends with a bulleted summary list of positive examples.