# Let resolved conversations expire

Practice ID: 17
Topic: `relationships` (relationships: Practices that keep communication in service of real human connection.)
Added: 2026-09-01
Journey entry point: `reclaim` (Establish chosen roles, boundaries, and routines for the technology that remains.)
Start with: `habit` (habit)
Supports: `legible-digital-life` (a legible, maintainable digital life; group: `digital-control` / My data and digital setup)

## Pattern

A concluded conversation can expire once its lasting information has moved to the right place.

## Practice

After extracting anything with lasting value, delete resolved chats according to a deliberate retention rule.

## Start small

Delete one concluded chat after saving anything you still need.

## Watch out

Some conversations have legal, safety, sentimental, or accountability value. Check before deleting them.

## Builds on

- [Extract durable information from chat](https://live.freewith.tech/practices/extract-durable-information-from-chat.md)

## Concepts

- [minimal retention](https://live.freewith.tech/concepts/minimal-retention.md): Data and digital residue are kept only while they continue to serve a deliberate purpose.

## Positions

See how these practices fit together: [End resolved chats](https://live.freewith.tech/by/ending-chats.md).

## Related videos

- [you’ve been using messaging apps wrong](https://fwt.wtf/delete-your-chats-video?utm_source=live.freewith.tech)

## Continue

- [See more in relationships.](https://live.freewith.tech/?topic=relationships#practices)
- [Journey](https://live.freewith.tech/journey.md)
- [Concepts](https://live.freewith.tech/concepts.md)
- [Complete agent-readable database](https://live.freewith.tech/llms.txt)