Love is the powerful force that makes the world go round. But it can also blind you and make you fall for someone whose intentions are far from pure. Because when you fall in love, you allow your emotions to take over. And, sadly, these emotions can be easily deceived by an experienced manipulator who only wants to play their nasty little mind games with you and leave the moment they get bored.
Relatable? Well, if you want to spare your fragile soul another heartbreak, keep reading.
Here are 3 toxic mind games manipulators play to deceive and control you:
1. Guilt-tripping.
Is your partner constantly blaming you for all the issues in your relationships? Chances are they are trying to guilt-trip you by making it seem as if you are the only one responsible for all the drama. And because you love them and care for them so deeply, you believe every single word they say, allowing yourself to feel guilty for things you didn’t cause and mistakes you didn’t make.
If this is the kind of manipulation you are going through, you need to take a step back and think about all the things you are being accused of. Is your partner trying to blame you for something they should be held accountable for instead? Do things look entirely different from your point of view? If your answer is ‘yes’, know that staying with someone who constantly criticizes you, blames you, and judges you will instill a toxic amount of self-doubt in you. Therefore, a better decision might be to simply let go.
2. Shaming.
Many people, who are hiding deep insecurities they are too afraid to talk about, tend to shame others for being their true selves. This trait is as toxic as guilt-tripping, if not more. And if you are in a relationship with someone who repeatedly shames you for the decisions you make and the choices you take, then you know painfully well how that makes you feel. But what you probably have not realized by now is that this hurtful attitude comes from a place of fear and desperation. Besides, no one should be shamed for openly expressing their true nature.
Know that no one has the right to make you feel guilty for being yourself, especially your romantic partner. So, if you sense that your significant other is trying to make you feel bad about yourself, stop right there. If this person makes you doubt your self-worth, they have no place in your life. This toxicity needs to go.
3. Fake glory.
Some people have a charisma that is enough to make everyone around them crazy about them. They seem to have the full package – looks, intellect, success. But under the nice, sparkly wrapping, many of them are hiding feelings of darkness, sadness, and uncertainty. Unfortunately, until you get to know their real selves, they have already wrapped you up in their web of lies. Just because they have many admirers who praise every single word they say, you have allowed yourself to trust them blindly. And that decision led you to reveal their true colors.
However, you are not obligated to put up with such behavior. If someone thinks they can manipulate you only because they have a massive ego, you need to let them know that you are better than that.
