You will encounter people who try to provoke you. They enjoy fighting, they enjoy ruining your day, and they probably hate themselves. Not as much as they hate, you not responding to the invitation to argue. They feed off making you upset. Somehow, making others miserable makes them extremely happy.
Learning when to walk away is difficult. It might be a family member or a friend, but despite their flaws, they never change. They still hurt you despite being told not to do something.
Setting boundaries is difficult, especially if you are new to it. Learning to say I will not be doing that. No, you can’t come over. I’m busy. They will be upset at first. Trying to guilt-trip you into saying yes. Stand your ground!
What is more difficult is the decision to cut someone out of your life completely. For whatever reason, this person causes you undue stress. They make you upset; they do terrible things. You have to stop the fighting for your own sanity. People will say but they are your family. Or they have been your friend since preschool. It doesn’t matter if it costs you your peace; it costs you too much!
Releasing yourself from toxic people is freeing! You might not grasp the full extent of what is happening. The gravity of it all, until you separate. You begin noticing how peaceful it is. How much less stressful it is with that toxic person away. No more crazy late-night phone calls. Or favors or being used to the point of exhaustion.
Regaining yourself and your sanity, the ability to breathe again! Not everything is so chaotic and urgent. Time slows down, and you start enjoying your life again.
So, the next time someone says, but they are family. Or you have known them for twenty years. How great were those years? You can’t save everyone, but you can save yourself! Shelter yourself. There is absolutely nothing wrong with protecting your peace! If they want to live that way, they can, away from you!
This was written by our contributing writer, Christy Granger.
Image Source: Pexels, Shazard R.
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