A small check before calling it mutual

“Let’s stay in touch” can sound like a shared plan while meaning something different to each person.

Try making the expectation specific before it turns into a quiet test: “What kind of contact would feel good to you—and what feels realistic for me?” Each person can name a preference, reflect back what they heard, then suggest a rhythm both can freely accept or revise.

The goal isn’t equal messages or a tally of effort. It’s a clear agreement that leaves room for both people’s needs—and for either person to say, “That doesn’t work for me.”