Acknowledge that its abusive. You need to stop minimizing and denying the harm that your family member has caused. Give up the fantasy that they will change. Grieve the loss of having the kind of relationship you wanted with this person.
How To Remove Toxic People From Your Life: What I've Learned
17 related questions found
Is it OK to distance yourself from family?
Being a family caregiver is hard. Some people have a higher tolerance for things than others, but everyone will feel the stress at some point. If you need to take a break from people, it's okay. The break doesn't have to be forever, but it should be long enough to be able to focus on yourself for a while.
How do you deal with a manipulative family member?
A good first step is to acknowledge that you're aware of the manipulation. It's normal to feel upset or pressured, but remember: That's how they want you to feel. Try grounding yourself or using breathing exercises to cool down and relax. Use respectful language and “I” statements to avoid sounding confrontational.
It is okay to cut someone out of your life. Sometimes, it is necessary. Although it isn't particularly easy, there comes a time in almost everyone's life where there's a person one needs distance from or that one needs to cut out of their life for good.
No, "unfriending" is not a childish thing to do. It is, in fact, a very adult thing to do because it's a reflection of mature discernment and ability to judge who deserves a space in our lives and who we're better off distancing ourselves from.
Some options include telling the person directly that you are ending the friendship. Or, you might allow the friendship to fade away by communicating less over time. If someone is violating your boundaries or if you feel unsafe, you might choose to discontinue all communication with them immediately.
Postpone your answer. Don't give them an answer on the spot. ...
Question their motivations. Manipulators often hide their real motivations because they don't like to take responsibility for their own actions and behaviors. ...
Not everyone feels a close connection to their families. In some cases, people may even feel like they hate their families. Because family relationships are often rooted in both shared experiences and shared proximity, it's little wonder that they can sometimes be fraught.
Their perception of you doesn't jibe with the way you see yourself. They accuse you of things that you feel aren't true. They make you feel like you're never enough or bad about yourself, or otherwise emotionally destabilized.
