Are You Being Gaslighted? Red Flags to Notice

What is gaslighting? The term actually comes from a 1934 movie, Gas Light, where a husband manipulates his wife and alters her environment to force her to see a reality that is ‘staged’. The person being gaslit begins to question their own sanity and is not sure what’s real and what their abuser is making up. Their abuser often feeds them a completely alternative reality in an effort to control the person and make them feel like they’re the catalyst for ‘all the bad things’ happening in their life.    Gaslighting happens more than we actually realize. It doesn’t just happen in narcissistic relationships. In fact, it can often be subtle. If you’ve ever heard a friend, a boss, or someone in your life say, “You’re taking it too personally.” or “You’re too sensitive.” Although this might be true depending on the situation, this could be the beginning signs of someone trying to make you feel small and like your feelings don’t matter. If you feel like someone in your life is trying to discredit your feelings every time you speak up, that’s something you need to pay attention to.    If you start to question yourself and your character, or if someone has ever made you feel like you’re consistently overreacting to everyday, normal, situations, these are all attempts to minimize your feelings. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with having feelings! You are human. If you feel like you constantly have to apologize because ‘you have issues’, that’s another warning sign you’re dealing with someone who wants to make you feel small and not seen.    Continue Your Growth Journey: Kaminiwood.com