Thank you, Ilana, for your response. I am certain there are times when a person’s behavior warrants pulling away from them. There is no shame in protecting ourselves from someone who refuses to see how they are hurting us and will not take responsibility for the damage their behavior is causing. This is not what I am referring to in my article.

I am talking about someone who walks away without ever addressing any issue at all, leaving the estrangee in the dark as to what they have done. If you have never even told someone that you find their behavior hurtful and destructive, you can’t expect them to read your mind. If, after confronting them with your feelings they refuse to make changes, then by all means, go. Absolutely. But at least give them the chance to own their behavior and make amends before you walk away.