Crossing boundaries in an attempt to get authority or control over another person is known as manipulation. The goal of manipulation is to take charge of a circumstance. A manipulator may use a variety of strategies to achieve their goals.
Signs You Are Being Manipulative
- You Lie: Lying is clearly manipulation in its purest form, and you should be aware of it when you do it. You have a cause if you frequently find yourself disregarding or bending the truth. Manipulation is all about hiding your truth.
- Doing Things With Expectations: Certainly, doing good things for others is not a negative thing. However, it’s manipulation if you’re only doing things because you think they will benefit you in the long run. You’re simply doing good things for yourself, and you’re not being sincere with the people you’re meant to be doing them for.
- Not Keeping Promises: It is always a manipulation to make promises that are not kept. It’s not worth your time or effort anymore, even if you did mean it when you said it. Even worse, you might not have meant to fulfil the commitment. In any case, you can manipulate friends, family, or love partners into remaining in your life by making unfulfilled promises.
- Make Others Guilty: Manipulators are experts at guilt-tripping. One of the best examples of manipulation is when someone is made to feel guilty in an attempt to make them feel bad or do something specific. It’s acceptable to show hurt and disappointment, of course, but it’s not an earnest act if you’re doing it to gain something.
- Being Persuasive: Finally, do you often find yourself influencing others to act in a particular manner or do what you want them to do? Those who are manipulative can be highly convincing and possess a deep awareness of the psychological strategies that might weaken others.
The secret is to approach self-awareness with compassion, seeing these signs as chances for personal development rather than as defects to conceal. You can be more open, encouraging, and empowering relationships with people around you by being aware of and taking action against these inclinations. The ability to face oneself and make stronger connections with others is a prerequisite for true personal growth.
