Block and delete—how to know it’s time to cut ties with a family member

Cutting ties with a family member isn’t easy. We’re conditioned to believe that family is everything, that blood is thicker than water. But what happens when that bond starts draining you instead of holding you up? When a relationship becomes a source of constant pain, stress, or manipulation, walking away might be the healthiest choice. It’s not about giving up on family—it’s about choosing yourself.

Letting go doesn’t mean you didn’t try or that you don’t care. It means recognising that love shouldn’t come at the cost of your peace. It means understanding that family isn’t just about shared DNA—it’s about respect, support, and mutual care. And sometimes, the hardest but most necessary act of self-love is walking away from the people who refuse to treat you with the kindness you deserve.

Here’s how to know it’s best to cut off a family member or relative:

Your mental health is suffering

If every interaction leaves you feeling drained, anxious, or emotionally exhausted, it’s a sign that the relationship is doing more harm than good. Constant emotional fatigue can manifest in various ways—sleepless nights, irritability, or even physical symptoms like headaches or stomach problems. It’s easy to brush off these feelings or think you’re overreacting, but when a relationship consistently impacts your emotional well-being, it's time to assess whether it’s worth holding onto. Your mental health should be a priority, and if a relationship is threatening your peace, it may be time to reconsider its place in your life.

The relationship is one-sided

If they only show up when they need something, never check in on you, or dismiss your struggles, it’s not a real relationship—it’s a one-way street. You find yourself giving, listening, and supporting them, but when you need their support, they’re nowhere to be found. Over time, this kind of dynamic leaves you feeling drained and unappreciated, like your worth is tied to what you can offer rather than who you are.

They manipulate or guilt-trip you

Love and support should never come with strings attached. If they use guilt, shame, or emotional blackmail to control your decisions, it’s not love—it’s manipulation. Maybe they make you feel selfish for setting boundaries or twist situations to make themselves the victim. This kind of emotional pressure can make you doubt yourself and keep you stuck in a cycle of trying to please them at your own expense.

You feel like you can’t be yourself around them

If you have to filter everything you say, tiptoe around their moods, or hide parts of yourself just to avoid conflict, that’s a huge red flag. A healthy relationship allows you to be yourself without fear of judgment or backlash. When you constantly have to shrink yourself to fit their expectations, you start losing touch with who you really are, and no relationship—family or not—is worth that.

They refuse to change or acknowledge the harm they cause

Everyone messes up sometimes, but if they never take responsibility and keep repeating the same hurtful behaviours, it’s a pattern, not a mistake. Whether it’s dismissing your feelings, lashing out, or refusing to acknowledge how their actions affect you, their refusal to change shows that they don’t value your well-being. You can’t force someone to grow, but you can choose to stop letting their actions hurt you.

They drain your mental and emotional energy

If every interaction leaves you feeling exhausted, anxious, or overwhelmed, it’s a sign that the relationship is doing more harm than good. Constant negativity, drama, or emotional demands can take a serious toll on your mental health. You deserve relationships that uplift and support you, not ones that leave you feeling worse every time you engage with them.

Lead image credit: IMDB

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