When Boundaries Save Relationships | Birmingham News

Birmingham AL News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 20, 2026 · 1m

At 61 and retired, R. Eric Thomas has cut ties with friends who’ve shown bigotry—ghosting them without explanation because he won’t waste energy on people whose views clash with his. The advice? You don’t owe everyone a lesson, but calling out harmful words can make others pause—and maybe reveal relationships that weren’t worth saving in the first place. He suggests seeking communities aligned with your values to build deeper, more meaningful bonds. Meanwhile, a friend of 45 years is trapped caring for her husband’s decades-long alcoholism, sacrificing her own well-being while he denies the…