The rise of 'low contact' family relationships: 'I said, Mum, I need to take some space'

A mother's rejection and criticism have led a woman to adopt the approach of 'low contact' in her family relationship. Marie, in her 40s, feels she has been "the black sheep" of her family for years due to her struggles with anxiety and depression, but she believes this decision is essential for her mental health.

She stopped answering her mother's calls, declined visits, and only contacts her when necessary. This boundaries-driven approach ensures that Marie can maintain a level of emotional security while still allowing her children to have a relationship with their grandmother.

Georgina, in her 30s, also took the low contact route after years of feeling like she was always walking on eggshells around her mother. She realized that setting boundaries would allow her to heal and regain control over her life.

Caroline, in her 50s, went low contact with her mother three years ago after a particularly traumatic event made her realize she needed space. By establishing clear boundaries and support systems, Caroline has been able to maintain emotional stability while also allowing herself the freedom to reflect on her own triggers.

These women demonstrate that 'low contact' can be an effective tool for managing toxic family relationships, providing an opportunity for self-reflection and healing. While it may not be suitable or safe for everyone, setting boundaries can help individuals prioritize their mental health and well-being.

Unlike those who choose the more extreme approach of "no contact," low contact offers a compromise between maintaining relationships while also respecting one's own needs. By finding creative ways to communicate and interact with family members, such as limited phone calls or scheduled visits, individuals can reduce stress and anxiety without severing ties entirely.

As Caroline notes, self-reflection is crucial when adopting this approach. Recognizing personal triggers and emotional immaturity allows individuals to make informed decisions about their relationships and take control of their own healing.

While low contact may not be the right choice for everyone, it's clear that setting boundaries can be a powerful tool in managing family dynamics and prioritizing one's own well-being.
 
I don't know about you guys, but I remember when setting boundaries was seen as weird or even rude back in the day... like my aunt would always call me up unannounced and expect me to drop everything, it was super annoying πŸ™„. But then she passed away and I realized how much I needed some space from her too.

These women's stories are so relatable, you know? Like Marie, Georgina, and Caroline - they're not just 'breaking off' their relationships with their moms, they're taking care of themselves in the process πŸ’ͺ. And it's not about being cold or distant, it's about setting limits and prioritizing your own well-being.

I think what I love most about this approach is that it's all about finding that balance between being connected to loved ones and taking care of yourself. My grandma used to be super strict and controlling when I was growing up, but now that she's passed away, I realize how much I needed some distance from her too. It's funny how life comes full circle like that πŸ•°οΈ.

Anyway, I'm all for setting boundaries and prioritizing mental health - it's time we start talking about this more openly, especially when it comes to family relationships πŸ’¬.
 
I feel bad for these women who are literally trying to survive in toxic families... I mean, I've been there too (not literally, obvs πŸ™„). It's so hard to set boundaries with people who just won't get it. I'm glad they're prioritizing their mental health, though - self-care is everything πŸ’†β€β™€οΈ. Low contact can be a tough pill to swallow, but sometimes it's the only way to not lose yourself in the process. I wonder how many other women are out there trying to do the same thing... silently suffering and pretending everything is fine πŸ€—. Anyway, kudos to these women for taking control of their lives - we need more of that πŸ’ͺ.
 
I get where these women are coming from πŸ€—... I mean, setting boundaries is defo necessary if you're feelin' like your mental health is sufferin'. But, at the same time, it's crazy how hard it can be to just... stop respondin', ya know? Like, what if your mom needs somethin' or someone to talk to and you're not there πŸ€”. I'm all for prioritizin' your own well-bein', but don't these women risk causin' more harm in the long run by severin' ties entirely? I think Caroline's approach of findin' "creative ways" is a good point, but it's still kinda hard to know what that means in practice πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ. Still, I'm glad they're speakin' out about this 'cause mental health matters and all that πŸ’–
 
I'm so glad to see people like Marie, Georgina, and Caroline speaking out about taking control of their mental health by setting boundaries with toxic family members πŸ™. Low contact isn't always easy, but it's a totally legit way to prioritize self-care without cutting ties completely. I think we need more conversations around this topic, because setting boundaries can be super empowering, especially when you're dealing with people who are emotionally draining or abusive πŸ’β€β™€οΈ. It's not about being cold or distant, it's about taking care of yourself and finding ways to communicate that work for you πŸ“ž.
 
lowkey worried about all these women having to set boundaries with their fam cuz mental health is literally not being taken seriously rn πŸ€•πŸŒͺ️ anyway, i mean its good they found a way to cope but can you imagine how hard it must be to deal with that kinda rejection & criticism? setting boundaries might be the lesser of evils but idk how long it'll take for them to rebuild trust or if it's even possible
 
I gotta disagree with this whole thing. I mean, what's wrong with being super close to your mom? Like, why settle for low contact when you could just have a healthy relationship, you know? These women are basically saying it's okay to just ghost your family or set ridiculous boundaries, and that's not healthy. What about the kids who wanna spend time with their grandma? Do they get to choose if they do or don't? I think low contact is just an excuse for people to avoid dealing with their problems.
 
I think these women are super brave for putting themselves first πŸ™πŸ’–. It's so easy to get caught up in trying to please others or maintain a perfect relationship, but honestly, that's just gonna drain your energy and cause more stress 😴. I've seen it happen with friends who felt like they had to keep up this facade of happiness for their families, only to end up burnt out and unhappy.

Setting boundaries is not about being selfish; it's about being self-aware and taking care of yourself 🀯. These women are showing us that it's okay to prioritize our own mental health and well-being, even if that means distancing ourselves from toxic family dynamics πŸ’ͺ. It's all about finding that balance and communicating effectively with loved ones... like Caroline said, "self-reflection is crucial" πŸ‘.
 
I gotta say, I'm loving this trend of women taking matters into their own hands when it comes to toxic family relationships πŸ’ͺ. It's so brave of them to set boundaries and prioritize their mental health πŸ™. I mean, setting limits with a loved one can be super tough, but these women are showing us that it's possible to maintain relationships while still taking care of ourselves πŸ€—.

I love how they're not feeling guilty or ashamed about taking control of their own lives πŸ’β€β™€οΈ. It's all about finding healthy ways to communicate and interact with family members, like limited phone calls or scheduled visits πŸ‘. And it's amazing that they're focusing on self-reflection and recognizing their personal triggers 🀯.

For anyone who feels like they need to break free from a toxic family dynamic, I say go for it! πŸ’₯ It might not be easy, but it's so worth it in the end πŸ’•. We deserve to prioritize our own well-being and happiness, and these women are proof that we can do just that 🌟.
 
I totally get why these women are doing this πŸ™Œ, setting boundaries is literally life saving when you're dealing with toxic family relationships πŸ’―. It's not about cutting ties completely, it's about taking care of yourself first πŸ‘. I mean, who needs that kind of stress and anxiety in their lives? 🀯 Low contact might seem harsh, but trust me, it's a game changer for people like Marie, Georgina, and Caroline πŸ’–. They're not saying no to their family members, they're just saying yes to themselves πŸ™. And honestly, who wouldn't want that? 😊
 
πŸ™Œ I totally get why these women made this decision! I've been there too with my own family drama. It's like you're forced to live in a toxic environment, where no matter what you do, it's never good enough. For me, setting boundaries was the key to survival. Like Marie said, maintaining emotional security is super important, and it's not selfish at all. We need to prioritize our own well-being before we can even start thinking about others.

And I love how they say low contact isn't an extreme approach – it's like a gentle step away from the chaos. It takes so much courage to set limits with loved ones, but honestly, it's the only way to keep yourself sane. Self-reflection is key, too – recognizing your own triggers and emotional immaturity (yeah, I've been there too!) can make all the difference.

I wish more people understood that taking care of ourselves isn't selfish; it's necessary. πŸ€—
 
I feel like these women are totally making the right move πŸ™Œ. I've had friends who struggle with toxic family relationships too, and it's amazing to see them prioritize their mental health πŸ’–. Setting boundaries can be so hard, but it sounds like low contact is a great way to do it without cutting ties completely...I mean, who needs that kind of stress? 😩

I love how they're all finding ways to communicate and interact with their family members in a way that works for them πŸ“±. Limited phone calls or scheduled visits - that's genius! And self-reflection is so important when it comes to healing...it's like, you can't fix what you don't acknowledge 😊.

I think low contact might not be the right choice for everyone, but it's definitely worth considering for those who feel like they're walking on eggshells all the time πŸ’”. And let's be real, taking care of your own mental health is way more important than trying to please others πŸ‘...anyway, I'm curious - have any of you guys ever struggled with toxic family relationships? πŸ€”
 
I'm not sure I buy into this whole 'low contact' thing... sounds like an excuse to just cut people out of your life when things get tough πŸ€”. Don't get me wrong, mental health is super important, but can we really blame the mothers for being a bit too much? Can't Marie and Georgina just have a chill convo with their moms without feeling judged or belittled? πŸ™ƒ

I mean, Caroline's experience is valid, I guess... traumatic events can be really tough to deal with. But what about when you're the one who needs space and your mom just won't respect that? πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ It feels like a lot of responsibility on the individual to 'find creative ways' to communicate and interact, rather than just accepting that some people aren't willing to change πŸ“±.

I'm all for setting boundaries, but can we talk about how this affects everyone else in the family too? Like, what about the kids who want to see their grandma, but are being shut down by Marie? It's not just about individual mental health, it's about community and relationships too πŸ‘ͺ.
 
πŸ™„ I mean, who hasn't felt like they're walking on eggshells around their mom at some point? Like, it's amazing these women are finally recognizing that they need to set some boundaries. Low contact can be super liberating, especially when you're dealing with toxic family relationships. It's all about finding that sweet spot between maintaining relationships and taking care of yourself, right? πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ Some people might say it's not the best approach, but hey, it worked for these women, and that's what matters. Let's just hope more of us can find our own inner Caroline and take control of our mental health πŸ™
 
I gotta say tho, these women are totally crushing the whole "self care" thing πŸ’β€β™€οΈπŸ‘! Low contact is all about taking control of your mental health and not letting toxic fam drama get you down πŸ˜’. It's like, setting boundaries isn't about being cold or distant, it's about being real with yourself and your loved ones 🀝. And I love that they're finding creative ways to communicate, like limited calls and scheduled visits πŸ“±πŸ•°οΈ. It's all about finding that balance and prioritizing your own needs πŸ’–.
 
I think its crazy how we're so used to people walking on eggshells around their loved ones, trying to avoid conflict or make others happy at the expense of our own emotional security 🀯. But what if that's just a recipe for burnout and resentment? I mean, these women are showing us that it's okay to prioritize ourselves and set boundaries, even if that means not being as close to family members. Its like we're redefining what it means to be a good daughter or mother - its not about sacrificing our own needs and happiness, but about being intentional with how we show up in our relationships ❀️.

And you know whats wild? I think this low contact thing is actually a reflection of our society's values. We're so conditioned to put others first and sacrifice our own well-being that it takes courage to say no or set boundaries. But what if thats the most radical act of self-love we can practice? πŸ€”
 
I gotta say, I'm like super relieved these women are taking care of themselves πŸ™Œ! Low contact is not just about avoiding drama, it's about self-preservation, you feel? Setting those boundaries is like creating a safe space for mental health, and it sounds like it's really working for them. Georgina said she was always walking on eggshells around her mom, but now she can heal and regain control over her life 🌱. It's all about recognizing your triggers and taking care of yourself first. No contact might be too extreme for some people, but low contact is like a middle ground - you're still connected to your family, but you're not sacrificing your mental health πŸ’―.
 
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