I have an estranged relationship with my sister. I haven’t had a relationship with her in 13+ years, and haven’t even seen her in about 5 years. We had a really bad falling out and I never really carried for her as a person. But for some reason I feel an immense guilt for not wanting a relationship, simply because of this convoluted idea of family and sticking together no matter what. Anyone else have this issue? How do I go about making peace with someone I don’t want nothing to do with?

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Haven’t talked to nor seen my brother since 1996. Other than having the same parents we have nothing in common, and he basically resents my very existence. He wanted to be an only child.

likeupliftingfunny

No reason to repair the relationship of you don’t want. However when you have to decide how to take care of your aging parents that might be a bit difficult

likeuplifting

I’m estranged from my aunt who helped raise me. After a decade of a really dysfunctional cycle repeating itself, I had to step off the crazy coaster. I got a lot of guilt from the rest of my family and I had a lot of hurt/anger to work through. We’ve spoken once in 10yrs, which resulted in her screaming at me over the phone after 8mn of an attempted reconciliation.

After a lot of work, I’d say I’m not so much as estranged from her as I have eliminated contact in the interest of my mental health. These are the boundaries I need. I do not wish her well, but I cannot interact with her.

You have to look after yourself first. If the relationship is too damaging, you deserve to step away. Not to trash talk or wish ill or judge. Just to step away.

likeuplifting

Totally agree with your view. There’s nothing to be gained and it’s not going to make your life better.

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I haven’t spoken with my father for close to 10 years. For me it has been the best decision to make. Ive put on a mask my entire adolescence and early adulthood by being nice and respectful because it’s family and because I would feel guilty of breaking my moms heart. One day though after I moved out I decided enough was enough. I never enjoyed speaking with him. He’d always be interested on how much I was making and how much whoever I was dating was making. He’d occasionally ask for money and of course I’d give him it because he was my father. But I was tired of the listening to the arguements he’d have with my mom and also he was very abusive when I was younger towards me and my mom. After I moved out a couple years of putting up the mask I decided no. I need to be selfish and I need to be strong. I did and he’s been trying to reach out every year since then and bothers my mom about me. He doesn’t understand why I just cut all connection. He plays the victim as always. My mom used to bother me to reach out to him until I firmly told her several times to stop and not to bring him up because it triggers me and gives me anxiety. She still continues and I told her I love you but I have to do what’s right for me. I didn’t choose my father and if someone outside of the family did the things he did to me and you then you’d tell me to leave so why should I take that from the person that’s supposed to protect you but instead hurts you? If you continue to bring him up I will reluctantly have to cut you off too because I need to live my life and be happy. That got her to stop. I have not regretted my decision and realize now that while yes family sticking together through thick and thin is important but there are limits if it impacts you so negatively. Sometimes we have to be selfish.

likeuplifting

I haven’t talked to my father in 17 years and I have zero regret. He was just not a nice person and I feel no guilt or shame. Many years were wasted trying to fake some kind of connection with him. It was exhausting.

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Each of our reasons are our own and in my case I stopped talking to my father in 2013 and realized my life improved by about 40% since then. No regrets. The thing about family is we were forced in to each other’s life by marriage or genetics but it doesn’t mean we’re obligated to pound a square peg in to a round hole for life. Decide what’s right for you and then decide how you get to the new relationship. Some folks might not understand and other relationships might fade but at the end of the day the relationships that matter will last.

helpful

What does she want?

But I mean is she interested in maintaining any relationship. I’m always in favor of taking the difficult route in favor of others. If you disassociate, what impact will that have on your mother

I wish there was a hug feature on here🥲. Reading the replies just makes me emotional for you all.

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upliftinglikehelpful

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