Let's get out of the habit of telling people, "That's still your mom, your dad, or your sister." As if a title erases the pain. As if blood automatically means safety, love, or accountability. The truth is, sometimes the people who were supposed to protect you were the ones who hurt you the most. Sometimes "family" is where the trauma started-where you learned to walk on eggshells, stay quiet, carry responsibilities no child should ever carry, and survive chaos you never asked for. Toxic is toxic, no matter the role someone holds in your life. You are allowed to walk away from people who repeatedly hurt you, dismiss your feelings, or make you question your worth. You are allowed to break cycles that were handed to you. You are allowed to choose peace over dysfunction, healing over guilt, and boundaries over brokenness. And if walking away is what keeps you safe, steady, and sane-then that choice is not betrayal. It is survival. It is healing. It is strength.