Estrangement is never an easy choice. It’s a deeply personal decision often made out of necessity rather than desire. For survivors of trauma, choosing to step away from family relationships can feel like both a loss and an act of self-preservation. Estrangement doesn’t mean you didn’t try, and it doesn’t mean you don’t love. It means you’ve recognized that your well-being requires boundaries—sometimes even distance. This decision can be painful, layered with grief, guilt, and even longing for what could have been. But I want you to know this: your choice to prioritize your healing is valid. Protecting your peace is not selfish; it’s essential. Healing through estrangement means holding space for both grief and growth. It means creating a chosen family—whether through friends, mentors, or community—that aligns with your values and supports your healing. And most importantly, it means offering yourself the compassion and care you may not have received. Estrangement isn’t about giving up; it’s about choosing to grow in the ways you deserve.
