Blocking someone on social media or cutting off contact can initially seem like a harsh response, but it’s often necessary for self-preservation. While ending a friendship or connection can be difficult, there are many valid reasons why blocking or removing someone from your life actually provides a sense of relief. In most cases, cutting someone off is less about punishing the other person and more about prioritizing your own well-being.
You regain a sense of control
Relationships, whether platonic or romantic, require mutual understanding and respect to be healthy. When someone repeatedly ignores your boundaries, invades your privacy, or puts you down, it takes a toll on your self-esteem. Setting firm boundaries or cutting contact restores a sense of personal agency and control.
Blocking someone who has continuously disrespected your stated boundaries shows that you are ready to stand up for yourself. It sends the message that you will not tolerate poor treatment anymore. Reclaiming your power in this way can be incredibly therapeutic.
It alleviates constant stress
Trying to maintain a relationship with someone who is manipulative, volatile, unsupportive, or abusive can be exhausting. You may be constantly on edge, walking on eggshells to avoid conflict. The ongoing toxicity can undermine your mental health and become an enormous source of anxiety.
Removing this individual from your space provides an immediate sense of relief. You no longer have to dread what they might say or do next. Blocking them on social media or your phone prevents them from continuing their hurtful behavior. Eliminating this stress and tension from your life is liberating.
You protect your peace of mind
We all have limited time and capacity to deal with challenging people or situations. Often, cutting someone off is necessary to preserve your inner peace. Their provocations, insults, guilt-tripping, gaslighting, or other damaging behaviors may frequently upset you.
Blocking their account prevents this aggravation and turmoil from showing up in your social feed or messages. You create physical and emotional distance from someone who was invading your headspace in an unhealthy way. Protecting your well-being and equilibrium is perfectly valid.
It allows you to refocus on your needs
Toxic relationships are often imbalanced, with one person’s needs taking priority over yours. Their demands and outbursts can become all-consuming. Setting boundaries or removing them from your life together allows you to reclaim your time and energy.
Instead of constantly serving their needs, you can finally focus on your own. You may pursue neglected hobbies again or spend time with positive people in your life. When you’re no longer responsible for someone else’s emotions, you open up mental space to care for your own wellness.
You model self-respect
On some level, tolerating mistreatment can stem from low self-worth. You may doubt that you deserve basic decency, so you put up with behavior you would never accept from someone else.
Blocking them demonstrates to yourself and to others that you know your value. It signals self-respect, refusing to accept crumbs in a relationship when you deserve to be cherished. This act of courage and self-love can be powerfully reaffirming. It also shows any impressionable onlookers that they too should stand up for themselves.
Does blocking someone make you feel guilty?
It’s natural to second guess whether you made the right decision after blocking someone. You may feel guilty about whether you should have given them another chance or let them explain further. Here are some helpful perspectives if you are questioning yourself:
- Remember that blocking someone does not have to be permanent. You can always unblock them later on if you choose to. For now, creating some space is healthy.
- The guilt may come from societal pressure to always be polite and avoid conflict. Your well-being has to be the priority.
- If they were truly sorry or cared about your relationship, they would be understanding of the need for boundaries, not offended.
- The guilt tends to dissipate once the relief kicks in. Have faith that the decision was for your greater good.
Trust your instincts. You do not owe anyone continued access to you if they have been causing harm.
It enables personal growth
Removing toxic individuals from your life frees up mental bandwidth for positive growth and reflection. You have one less battle to fight every day or person’s drama to worry about.
Without constant turmoil, you gain perspective on just how much this relationship was holding you back or dragging you down. You have time to focus inward, get to know yourself again, and perhaps pursue counseling if trauma was involved.
Blocking someone prevents further harm and creates space for wisdom and self-discovery. It removes distractions so you can invest energy into blossoming into your best self.
You realize your worth
Toxic relationships can skew our self-image. We may internalize the criticism or contempt of others. This can warp our sense of self-worth.
Once you eliminate someone who regularly devalued, dismissed, or disrespected you, your perspective may start to change. Away from their presence, you may realize just how worthy you truly are of love and respect.
Their rejection or ambivalence does not determine your value. Blocking them helps you remain anchored in your worth. Surrounding yourself with people who cherish you also helps reveal your strengths.
It teaches people how you expect to be treated
Failing to set boundaries can send the message that someone’s conduct is acceptable. You may be avoiding confrontation or hoping they will realize their behavior is wrong.
Blocking them makes it clear that you will not accept certain treatment. It communicates how you expect to be treated moving forward.
This may be a hard lesson, but it can lead to positive change. It teaches the other person to treat you and others with more care and respect. Removing them models self-respect and proper relationship dynamics.
You distance yourself from toxicity
Sometimes there is simply no resolving certain unhealthy dynamics. A person may be abusive and unwilling to change. Maintaining any contact continues enabling the toxicity and preventing your healing.
Completely removing this person’s access to you may feel cold, but is often necessary for your safety and recovery. Blocking them on all platforms ensures their reach into your life is severed so you can begin to detoxify.
Surrounding yourself with empathetic, ethical people helps cleanse your mind, body, and spirit of all the negativity they carried. Freedom from their darkness into the light allows you to breathe and thrive again.
Healthy ways to cope after blocking someone
The aftermath of blocking a toxic person can be challenging. Here are some self-care tips to help you through this transition and protect your mental health:
- Avoid cyberstalking them or viewing their profiles after the fact. This undermines the separation.
- Temporarily mute or unfollow any mutual connections who may mention them.
- Journal about your emotions to process them constructively.
- Pour your energy into hobbies, friends, and activities unrelated to this person.
- Listen to empowering music and podcasts to stay in a positive mindset.
- Consider counseling to heal from this relationship and avoid repeating patterns.
You inspire others to set boundaries
Setting limits or removing people demonstrating consistent disregard for you or basic decency can be incredibly empowering. Your courage serves as a model to others in your life too.
Perhaps you have friends or family enabling similar toxicity from their partners, friends, or relatives. They may feel guilty or afraid to take action. When they see you blocking someone for legitimate reasons, it shows them it is possible to find their own strength. Your self-advocacy reminds them that they also deserve respect. You never know who you might inspire.
Conclusion
Ending a friendship or cutting contact with someone you once cared about is rarely easy or done lightly. But maintaining a relationship with someone who harms you or brings continuous negativity into your life damages your health and self-esteem.
Blocking their access forces much needed separation and sends the message that you will no longer tolerate such treatment. This act of courage can strengthen your sense of self-worth again. It also helps protect your peace of mind and creates space for personal growth and reflection.
While blocking someone may initially bring guilt or doubt, the feeling of relief in the long run makes clear it was the right decision. Ultimately, removing toxic individuals from your circle is an act of radical self-love. It enables you to surround yourself with people who cherish and appreciate you. Your well-being has to come first.