Moving on from Family Conflict: Coping with Estranged Relatives 👪🚫

Have you ever been in a situation when you had to cut ties with a family member or maybe they cut ties with you? It can become a very difficult state of affairs when you have to estrange yourself from your own flesh and blood. This situation arises when the friction between relatives becomes infinite and reconciliation looks impossible. If you’re going through something similar, don’t worry! In this blog, we’ll cover some coping mechanisms that can help you move on from family conflict.

Understanding Family Conflict 💔

Before we start discussing how to cope with family conflict and move on, let’s first understand what family conflict is and why it happens. 💬

Family conflict, simply put, is a disagreement between family members that leads to an unsustainable conflict which results in estrangement or cutting ties. The causes of such conflicts are never-ending and can vary from communication gaps to personal differences, ideological or religious differences, rivalries, jealousy, and more.

Family conflicts are not unusual because family members are not necessarily alike and this can lead to misunderstandings and disagreements. However, family relationships are unique and the bonds that bind them are strong enough to navigate any differences.

Coping with Estranged Relatives 🙏

Now, let’s discuss some powerful coping mechanisms that can help you move on from the conflict situation with your estranged family members. 💪

Acknowledge Your Emotions 🤗

One of the primary ways to deal with the aftermath of estrangement from close relatives is to admit your feelings of sadness, disappointment, anger, or any other emotion that you may have gone through. Admitting your feelings to yourself will help you come to terms with the situation and can also assist you in getting the support you need from others.

Practice Forgiveness 🤝

Forgiveness is a crucial step in letting go of anger, resentment, and bitterness that has developed you have towards the estranged family member. Forgiveness does not mean that you have to forget about what happened, but it means that you choose to release the negative feelings and thoughts you have toward them. It is the first step towards healing and moving on.

Take your Time 🔝

Time helps in healing the wounds caused by estrangement and moving on from family conflict. Give yourself ample time to heal and reflect on the situation. Take time to grow and learn from the disagreements and negative experiences. Do not feel forced to reconcile with an estranged family member until you feel ready.

Build a Support Network 💬

Building a support network is important when dealing with estrangement from family members. These individuals could be friends, counsellors, a therapist or a support group. Talk with them and allow others to provide comfort and support during a difficult and emotional time. You can also read self-help books that can guide you in the steps to healing and moving on, or speak with people that have gone through similar situations.

Seek Reconciliation with Caution 🤷‍♀️

Reconciliation with estranged family members must be done with caution. It takes two people to reconcile and make things right between them. It’s important to think it through and decide what approach is best for you. You should think about your own emotional health and the value of relationships with other family members when considering reconciliation.

Conclusion 🎉

Estrangement from a family member can be tough and emotionally challenging, yet it is not impossible to move on from this situation. Understand that while conflicts in families are normal, the emotional burden it brings cannot be dismissed. Practice these coping mechanisms to help you move forward from the situation. Acknowledge your emotions, practice forgiveness, take time to heal and reflect, build a community of support, and be cautious in considering reconciliation. Remember that you don’t have to do this alone and that it is okay to ask for help and support.