Stop Loss: Not Financial, But Emotional

I first encountered the concept of a stop loss while learning about the stock market. Over time, I’ve come to realize that the same principle can be applied to interpersonal relationships.

In the stock market, a stop loss serves as a safeguard, limiting potential losses when an investment moves beyond a predefined threshold. Similarly, in relationships, we might consider setting an "emotional stop loss"—a boundary for the amount of mental and emotional strain we are willing to endure. When that threshold is exceeded, it may be time to step back from the person causing the distress.

However, there’s a key difference. In stocks, you can reinvest in the same asset later if circumstances improve, but in human relationships, opportunities to reconnect are often less certain. Still, just as the stock market always offers new opportunities, so too does life continually bring new connections. The choice to engage thoughtfully and protect our emotional well-being remains firmly in our hands.