Exactly — you are right, Chris.

Right before I was brave enough to leave my husband, I broke off relationships with my father and 2 sisters. Needless to say, we had a dysfunctional family. I had to admit that they added no value whatsoever to my life and actually detracted from my happiness and well-being. Those choices gave me the space to see my marriage clearly and make a decision about that as well. I continued to “clean house” after that. Once I was rid of the dead weight, I attracted people who were so much better for me — people who enhanced my life and cared about me.