But it sounds as if that's what you intend to do, or near enough, except for family and co-workers. In the course of this life, everyone says something thoughtless in the course of conversation, but few give up speaking. Not the best anology, of course. What it comes down to, of course, is really your own comfort level. It sounds as if you've let this worry you more than it should (though that's human nature; still a few trivial things I did or neglected to do for someone in my formative years that nag at me on rare occasions), so if this is the only way to let your mind at ease about possibly disturbing friends, so be it, and I'm also assuming that you have other ways (in person, online) of communicating with them. In any event, hope whatever decision you make works out, and that all goes well for you.