The original poster (OP) recently experienced the trauma of being suddenly laid off from a job they highly valued. This event has caused significant emotional distress. Following this job loss, OP has developed intense negative feelings directed toward friends and family members who supported the political figure referred to as the ‘Orange Man.’
While OP previously maintained civil relationships with these individuals despite political disagreements, the job loss has made it impossible for OP to overlook the political support these people show. OP is now considering permanently ending these long-term relationships, either by making a formal announcement or by silently blocking everyone involved. OP is struggling with whether these severe reactions are an overreaction and is questioning if they are wrong for considering cutting off ties with over 20 personal relationships.
Fired Fed. I am considering cutting off every Orange Man supporter.
According to Dr. Casey Flores, a specialist in interpersonal conflict resolution, ‘When a significant external stressor intersects with deeply held personal values, the resulting emotional fallout often leads to immediate re-evaluation of existing social boundaries.’
The OP is clearly experiencing what psychologists term a ‘moral injury’ or acute stress response triggered by job loss. This shock has acted as a catalyst, forcing a rapid reassessment of social contracts. The OP’s tolerance, which was previously high, has been entirely depleted by the trauma. When individuals feel their core sense of safety or professional dignity has been threatened, they often seek to eliminate perceived sources of future vulnerability, which in this case are the political choices of their social circle.
The behavior of some supporters—offering superficial apologies while publicly maintaining the same views—reinforces the OP’s feeling of being invalidated. While cutting off 20 relationships instantly is an extreme measure driven by acute pain, setting firm boundaries is a necessary step. A professional path forward might involve taking an immediate, temporary social media break and avoiding stressful environments like the in-laws’ home, rather than executing permanent relationship terminations while still in a raw, reactive state.
AFTER THIS STORY DROPPED, REDDIT WENT INTO MELTDOWN MODE – CHECK OUT WHAT PEOPLE SAID.
The OP is currently in a highly emotional state, feeling personally betrayed by the actions of people they cared about, specifically linking their political choices to the negative professional outcome OP experienced. The central conflict is between OP’s need to protect their own emotional well-being following a trauma and the expectation to maintain long-standing personal relationships despite irreconcilable values.
The core question facing the reader is whether OP’s reaction, which involves severing deep personal connections based on political alignment following a severe life event, is justified self-protection or an emotional overreaction. Should OP prioritize immediate emotional healing by cutting ties, or attempt to navigate the situation by setting firm boundaries while preserving the history of the relationships?
