Yesterday was a hard day for me. Not only was I swamped with work and deadlines, I had a few blows dealt to me in a personal relationship with a family member. Being the strong woman that I am and not wanting to show emotion, I often let things roll off of my back. I try not to give my attention to negative energy or negative people. But I was feeling abused—attacked—personally affronted for no reason. If I didn’t say anything about it, then it would continue. So I spoke my peace. And all hell hit the fan. And that was that.
I am lighter. I unloaded the baggage. And now I feel I am a better person for it. I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But I will tell you this—when I am in your life, I give 110%. I will go to bat for you. I will go above and beyond duty to help you. And I will be in your corner whenever you need it. But if I cannot say the same for you and it’s not reciprocated, then what type of relationship do we have?
Question…
So at this point, I am through. I’ve held out my olive branch many times in the past only for it to come and bite me in the back. I’ve got work to do, a family to take care of, and I refuse to look back. It’s their loss, not mine.
When you feel that someone is holding you down, you continue to give them power. But when you release them, you will feel lighter, stronger, better. And I feel like that right now. Regardless of the sadness I feel for no longer having this person in my life, I know in the end, it’s what is best for the both of us. We are and always will be family, you cannot change that. But I know what my boundaries are and they will not be crossed.
The baggage has been unloaded…
I recently had to have a "friend divorce" from someone who continually caused me nothing but stress. And I must say, I haven't looked back. It's hard in the "during" portion, but once you've slayed the dragon, it really does feel better.
Friend divorce, I like the way you put it. And it fits perfectly because it is much like a divorce with all of the pain involved. It still stings but I know with each passing day, I will be fine.
What a great post. Of course, I'm sorry that the relationship came to word blows, but it's inspiring that you stood up for yourself and made the conscious decision not to keep toxic people in your life.
In the end, I have to do what is best for me. If a person only wants to be mean and hateful towards me, I have to cut my losses. Family or no family. Thanks for commenting.