Thanks for sharing Barb, these are typical conundrums we allow ourselves to get railed into. Sometimes you've just completely got to end things and turn away. Sometimes it's the kindest thing. Whilst they can feel in your field that you're still engaging, you're still validating their behaviour, and they won't change because it continues to bleed your energy.

I think you know this in your own words. So why do you maintain contact?
My approach to these situations would be (generally speaking), to completely break away. Not to respond at all. This is a response that can be felt. And if they are to change, it's what's most likely to catalyse it. They may come back with a different orientation further down the road.

How does that feel?

Open 🙏