So it seems to some that a slow exit is better for them, and all should respect that.
But we are still talking about association here. Do you not feel as though you are in an indirect way lying to your close family and friends by continuing to put on a front and not stating your feelings? You may not want to hurt them... but will it hurt them more if they feel betrayed, or lied to for a length of time? Do you feel that your friends and family will respect you for being open with your feelings if they truely are your friends?
Again, these are questions, and not statements, I hope that no one takes offense by these.... but are they not questions that need to be asked?
Again, I feel that we should all respect anothers view point why they feel what they feel and why they do what they do.