Too Good at Goodbyes: Why It's Time to Ghost the Goodbye Fanfare

Too Good at Goodbyes: Why It's Time to Ghost the Goodbye Fanfare

'Too Good at Goodbyes' by Sam Smith might just be the anthem we need to stop glamorizing breakups and embrace walking away without the theatrics. It's time to say no to emotional baggage and yes to boundaries.

Vince Vanguard

Vince Vanguard

In a world where everyone seems to be fiercely hanging on to fleeting relationships, Sam Smith's 'Too Good at Goodbyes' is an anthem for those who've perfected the art of walking away. Released in 2017, this melancholic masterpiece, born from heartbreak, resonates with anyone who has ever felt like they’ve been through one emotional roller coasters too many. But here's the kicker: if you find yourself saying goodbye all too often, maybe it's not just about love lost—perhaps it's time to say adieu to toxic emotional baggage that doesn’t even deserve a farewell parade.

Let's break it down. Number one: the song's soaring blend of soul and pop is the perfect earworm for any soundtrack dealing with emotional fallout. It's catchy, undoubtedly, but what's more intriguing is its appeal to anyone fed up with theatrical breakups. Smith’s powerful vocals bring a sense of finality that maybe we should all aspire to instead of clinging to sinking ships. The song isn't just some ballad for the broken-hearted—it's a call to simplify relationships.

Second, the lyricism here is a fabulous middle finger to the culture of oversharing and performative vulnerability that social media loves to breed. Smith sings about setting emotional boundaries. That's right, folks: boundaries. Something our society ironically preaches about yet often fails to genuinely practice. It's refreshing. We shouldn't have to constantly wallow in public displays of sorrow or seek pity from digital strangers who offer 'thoughts and prayers' between episodes of their favorite binge.

Third, Sam Smith's willingness to embrace their own vulnerability without wallowing in self-pity sets the stage for realistic emotional recovery. Let's face it, the pain of heartbreak has been monetized for ages, but here's someone who insists on keeping it real. The song’s lack of embellishment and straightforwardness is a stark contrast to the exaggerated, self-destructive narratives popularized by today's sensationalist culture. Overdramatizing feelings only prolongs the pain and adds needless complexity.

Fourth, this song serves as the ultimate breakup playlist pick. Ditch the overdramatic, self-indulgent tunes that glamorize emotional turmoil! 'Too Good at Goodbyes' encourages an emotional cleanse, a detox from unworthy entanglements. Instead of crying over spilt milk, let's clean it up and move on. Focus on the positive parts of our lives and invest in relationships deserving of our effort.

Fifth, pardoning realism for a moment, Smith’s song still allows for therapeutic despair. The lifting tide of gospel-influenced chorus provides room for a healthy cry. Salty tears can serve as weapons of catharsis—but living in them permanently isn't sustainable. What if we used 'Too Good at Goodbyes' as a stepping stone rather than sinking sand in the quagmire of perpetual heartbreak?

Sixth, the song might be a farewell to old-school notions of clinging to lost loves. We get it: love stories involving sacrifice are classical. But, why sacrifice one's sanity? Smith is showing us that sometimes the best way to show love, quite paradoxically, is to walk away. Romantic, right? No, logical. Since when did we start equating emotional chaos with depth and meaning? There's nothing romantic about being dragged down into the abyss of an exhausting emotional cycle.

Seventh, it shines a light on the value of emotional resilience. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a society that encourages strength, boundaries, and quiet resolve? Emotional resilience is built through experience, and learning when to walk away is its core principle. Smith's #1 hit is less about being emotionally numb and more about being strategically guarded—a virtue that doesn't get enough fashion runway glamour.

Eighth, speaking of glamour, the music video’s aesthetic aligns with its themes. It's simple, minimalist, a sigh of relief from overdone CGI-heavy productions clamoring for viewership. Sometimes less is more, whether you're crafting a story or making life decisions.

Ninth, perhaps 'Too Good at Goodbyes' strikes a note with our innate desire for self-preservation. As relationships in the digital age become more like disposable commodities, Smith lends credence to finding worth in letting go. The calm assertion that follows heartache can often be the most liberating part of loss. Let's not wait for others to tell us this; it's time to be our own echo chamber of empowerment.

Tenth, the underlying wisdom here is startlingly pragmatic: not every heartache deserves an audience nor a grand finale. So many people stay in toxic romantic loops, holding on for nostalgia's sake, crafting theaters of operatic farewells. Sometimes the best 'goodbye' is the one you don't need to rehearse; it's the one where you walk away and don't look back—something that Sam Smith is probably too good at by now.