Gaslighting: What It Is, How to Spot It, and How to Reclaim Your Truth

toabetterself
1 day ago
3 min read

Hi Beautiful,

Gaslighting: What It Is, How to Spot It, and How to Reclaim Your Truth

If you have ever walked away from a conversation feeling confused, doubting yourself, or wondering if you’re “too sensitive”… this one’s for you.

That disoriented, second-guessing feeling? It might be gaslighting, a form of emotional manipulation that makes you question your reality, memories, or instincts.

And here’s the truth: You are not too much. You are not imagining it. You are not crazy.

Let’s talk about what gaslighting really is, how to recognize the signs, and how to protect yourself from getting caught in its exhausting cycle.

What Is Gaslighting?

Gaslighting is a type of psychological manipulation where someone makes you doubt your reality. It’s often subtle, disguised as “concern,” sarcasm, or even love. But over time, it chips away at your confidence, clarity, and self-trust.

It can happen in romantic relationships, family dynamics, friendships, or even workplaces.

Common Signs of Gaslighting

If these feel familiar, you may be dealing with gaslighting:

They tell you “you’re overreacting” or “too sensitive”
They deny things they clearly said or did
They twist facts or retell events to make you look “wrong”
They minimize your feelings—“you’re being dramatic”
They blame you for their behavior
You find yourself constantly apologizing
You start to feel like you can’t trust your own memory or emotions
You feel confused, anxious, or “off” after interactions with them

Why Gaslighting Is So Harmful (Especially for Women)

Gaslighting doesn’t just cause confusion; it creates self-doubt, which disconnects you from your inner wisdom. And for women, who are often already taught to prioritize others’ opinions and minimize their own needs, this can be devastating.

Over time, you may:

Stop speaking up
Question your reality
Struggle with anxiety, depression, or low self-worth
Stay in toxic relationships out of fear or self-blame

But here’s the empowering truth: you can reclaim your clarity. And it starts by recognizing what’s really going on.

How to Protect Yourself from Gaslighting

1. Name It When You Feel It

Trust the moment you start feeling “off” or confused. Ask yourself: “Am I feeling invalidated, twisted, or erased?” Just naming it is a form of self-trust.

2. Keep a Reality Check Journal

When something feels weird, write it down: what was said, how you felt, what happened next. This helps you anchor in truth when someone tries to make you doubt it.

3. Don’t Argue With the Manipulation

You don’t have to prove yourself. Gaslighters often twist arguments to maintain control. You are allowed to walk away, disengage, or stay silent.

4. Lean Into Support

Talk to people who truly listen and reflect your truth. A therapist, a safe friend, or even a journal can help ground you in you.

5. Protect Your Boundaries Without Guilt

You are allowed to say:

“That doesn’t feel true to me.”
“I don’t accept that version of the story.”
“I won’t continue this conversation right now.” Self-respect is not rudeness. It’s self-preservation.

Final Thought: You Are the Authority on Your Reality

The most powerful thing you can do in the face of gaslighting is trust yourself again. Your feelings are valid. Your experience matters. You don’t owe anyone your silence just to keep things “peaceful.”

Gaslighting is real but so is your ability to rise above it. To rebuild your trust. To reclaim your voice. To walk in truth, even if your voice shakes.

You are not too sensitive. You are deeply intuitive. And the more you trust that voice inside you, the freer you become.

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This is a safe, supportive space to slow down, tune in, and grow at your own pace with a growing community of women just like you. Because becoming your better self isn’t about doing more—it’s about tuning in and listening deeper.

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