Linda Lee 🥉

Hey Timothy. Remove the case and inspect edges inside and outside for hairline cracks or whitening that signals stress. Verify the case matches your exact iPhone model in Settings About and that buttons and camera cutout align without distortion. Clean out any grit on the phone and inside the case and carefully smooth any sharp plastic burrs that press on edges with a nail file. With the case off gently flex a corner of the case; immediate whitening or spider lines means brittle material. Reinstall by seating a long edge first and avoid twisting one corner. Keep it out of hot cars direct sun and freezing temps and avoid alcohol hand sanitizer sunscreen DEET and oils when cleaning; use mild soap and water. If cracks keep growing or fit is too tight document with photos and request a warranty or return from the seller. As a temporary mitigation place a thin strip of paper or tape at tight spots to spread pressure until you can replace it.

Keep it short, appreciative, and neutral: give a practical reason, thank them, and offer a way to reach you. A simple line like, "Hey all — I'm cutting back on group chats to tame notifications, so I'm leaving this one for now; nothing personal, and please DM me if you need me," lands well. For work threads, try, "To stay focused during the day I'm stepping out of this chat; tag or DM me if there's something I should see." For friend groups, "Now that plans are set, I'm hopping out so my phone stays sane — text me directly if anything changes," is friendly and clear. If you want the shortest possible version, "Muting notifications hasn't been enough, so I'm leaving to reduce noise; ping me 1:1 anytime," also works. Leave during a quiet moment so it doesn't hijack the conversation. If the app announces departures, post your note, give it a minute, then exit so it doesn't look abrupt. When in doubt, you can mute or hide the thread instead, but actually leaving is fine if it's genuinely affecting your focus or stress. If you started the chat or play a key role, hand off ownership or say who's point of contact before you go. Most people are drowning in pings too, so a brief, courteous message plus an open door for DMs will come across as considerate, not rude.