Struggling to Let Go of Emotions and Set Boundaries—Need Advice

Hi folks,

This is my throwaway account.

I wanted to share something that's been weighing on me. It’s about people I care deeply for, but they don’t seem to care whether I exist or not. In my head, I know the logical answer: I should cut them off or at least set clear boundaries. But my emotions are a different story—I still care for them despite everything.

Here’s the thing: I can control my behavior and actions to some extent. For example, I don’t lash out or seek revenge, but when these people need help and no one else can step in, I find myself going out of my way to assist them. I don’t resent helping them per se, but every time I do, those painful emotions resurface. It’s a cycle I hate being stuck in.

Sometimes, I feel like I want to control their actions—especially when I see them making choices they’ll probably regret. But I also know this isn’t healthy. I know I should let them live their lives and focus on myself instead. And I have started finding new people who genuinely care about me, which is great.

Despite knowing the answers in my head, I struggle to organize my thoughts and actually execute the steps to let go.

Has anyone here dealt with similar feelings? How did you manage to let go of emotional attachments while still respecting yourself? Any tips, advice, or strategies would mean a lot to me.

Thanks for reading.