We all have moments of uncertainty. It's part of being human. But what happens when that uncertainty doesn't come from within — when it’s subtly planted, over and over again, by someone close to us?
I’ve seen how this plays out — in the stories people carry, in the therapy room, and even in my own life. It’s called gaslighting, and it’s one of the most disorienting forms of emotional manipulation.
Gaslighting is not just about lying — it’s about making you feel like you’re the problem, even when you’re not. It’s a calculated distortion of your reality, designed to erode your trust in yourself.
You might hear things like:
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“You’re overreacting.”
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“That never happened.”
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“You’re remembering it wrong.”
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“You’re too sensitive.”
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“It’s all in your head.”
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“I was just joking. You’re so dramatic.”
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“Everyone else thinks you’re the problem too.”
At first, they might sound like small comments. But over time, they work like tiny cracks in a foundation — slowly making you question your instincts, memories, even your sanity. And that’s what makes gaslighting so powerful. You stop trusting your own thoughts. You become a stranger to your own feelings.
I believe it’s important we talk about this. Because many people don’t even realize they’re experiencing gaslighting — until they’ve already lost touch with themselves.
Recognizing gaslighting is not just about understanding manipulation — it’s about reclaiming yourself.
It’s about realizing:
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That being “too sensitive” might just mean you’re aware.
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That forgetting details isn’t a flaw — it’s being human.
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That feeling confused all the time might not be a personal issue — but a red flag in a toxic dynamic.
So how do you protect yourself?
By knowing yourself deeply.
The more you build a relationship with your inner world — your values, your emotional reactions, your boundaries — the easier it becomes to spot when something doesn’t feel right.
Ask yourself:
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Do I often feel like I have to defend my feelings?
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Do I feel more confused than understood after certain conversations?
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Do I leave interactions with someone questioning my version of events or who I am?
Gaslighting loses power when you are grounded in your truth.
And when you stop asking, “What’s wrong with me?” and start asking, “Why am I feeling like this in their presence?” — you begin to see more clearly.
Trusting yourself is not selfish. It’s essential.
It’s how you stay rooted when someone tries to shake your reality.
If this resonated with you, take a deep breath. You are not imagining things. You are remembering who you are.
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