There’s nothing like the stress of a court case to put things into perspective and to make you just not want to take any crap from anyone anymore. It’s making you stronger, and I think it was a good idea for you to cut them loose if this is how they’ve been treating you. They haven’t been good friends or keeping you on equal footing. It also sounds pretty petty that your friend won’t send you the information she has on her phone when she knows you need it, which is another reason it’s good you cut her out. I would just let your lawyer handle it, especially if they can subpoena the information.

And yes… cutting friends out of your life who make you feel disrespected, used, walked on, etc., is self-care, and an important part of it. If you do become friends with them later on, be sure to set boundaries that you expect them to treat you with the same amount of effort and respect that you treat them or they should expect your effort to decrease to their level or for the friendship to end altogether. That’s a perfectly acceptable healthy boundary to set.

Dear Michelle:

Welcome back.

I hope that this lawsuit resolves soon. It would be such a relief for you.

Even when we do the right thing for ourselves, and end relationships where we were disrespected and mistreated, often there is an emptiness and sadness because we lose something that in the past was pleasant at times. Therefore, do post here anytime, to vent, to express.

anita