Family is a complicated thing. Always has been, always will be. And of course, if there is one thing we will always have, it's family. But what about the family that's toxic? The family that you may love as family but hate as people. I know, I sound like a horrible person but I speak from actual experience. What I have found though is that people like me, who actually choose to cut certain family off, get shamed for this decision. We're seen as the bad people for making a choice that's healthier for us. Even though, many think that to forgive is what's healthy. And it is, trust me I know. But what happens when you've run out? When that person has abused your kindness? Has abused your love?

You shut the door on them because it is the right thing to do. And many people will look at you and say you're selfish. That is when you look them in the eye and say "Yeah, it is. And I'm better for it." And you are, you will always be better for it. The people that critique you are the ones that don't understand how vital these decisions are to your well-being. Why is making a healthy decision for yourself so selfish? These people may be family, but they can bring so much negativity in your life. I may be judged for it but I learned to come to peace with my decision because it was necessary for me.

The worst part is that people think you're not hurting. How can you not? Especially if these people were really close to you. They think that because you have made this decision, it was easy. It's the hardest decision you can make. Making the decision doesn't just affect you, it affects everyone around you. Which is probably why people deem you as a selfish and cold person. But you're not. You're human and most importantly, you have the right to act towards anything that will benefit your health. We don't forget these people, if anything, we carry with them everywhere we go but for now, that's the most we can do.

I've made this decision over and over again, and it's always been hard. Just because it has happened more than once doesn't mean that it gets easier each time. It gets harder because before each time, you're hopeful. You hope that this time around it will be different, but you're proven wrong every time. Honestly. it's heart-breaking. It hurts to see that person and know that they can't say anything to you because you don't want them to. For a while, you'll probably think there is something wrong with you, that you are a selfish person but I'm here to tell you that you're not.