Hey, you’re welcome!
You’re the one who is sitting here right now in a tense state, unsure whether you’re imagining it. The one who’s been told often to be “too sensitive,” “overreacting,” or “misunderstanding” that you’ve begun to believe it.
The doctor explained that your discomfort is “just the result of stress. “Your partner was silent and replied, “You always twist my words. “
Your friends gave you the “here she goes again” look when you tried to explain why something seemed odd.
Now? Here you are, gazing at your reflection in the mirror, wondering if it’s time to lose your grasp on reality.
Let me share with you a factIt’s a good thing to know.
You weren’t crazy.
They wanted you to believe that you were.
How Gaslighting Works (And Why It’s So Hard to Spot)
Gaslighting doesn’t mean someone is screaming at you and calling you crazy. It’s a lot more subtle than the latter. It’s quiet, small, and nebulous that, by the time you’ve realized that something is happening, you’re feeling self-conscious.
1. The Slow Erosion of Trust in Yourself
It all starts with small things like:
- “That’s not what I said. You must have misunderstood. “
- “You’re being too emotional about this. “
- “Why are you always so dramatic? “
First, you wipe it off. Perhaps you do not understand. Possibly, you are reacting too much. Then it goes on and on and over until you begin to think:
“Wait… do I even know what’s real anymore? “
This is the purpose. If you aren’t able to believe in yourself, then you shouldn’t doubt them.
2. The Medical System Taught You to Ignore Your Own Body
You visited the doctor after feeling unwell. But instead of being attentive, they said:
- “It’s probably just anxiety. “
- “Women your age often imagine symptoms. “
- “Here, try these pills. “
Later, you discover that you suffered from a genuine physical problem that could have been treated had someone considered you a serious patient. But, by then, you’d already been able to dismiss the pain you felt.
3. Partners Who Made You Feel Like the Problem
He would say something brutal. He would then refuse to acknowledge it.
- “I never said that. You’re making it up. “
- “You’re too sensitive, I was just joking! “
- “If you weren’t so insecure, you wouldn’t take everything so personally. “
You began keeping notes, reliving conversations, and pondering whether you were the one with the issues.
However, here’s the truth: The people who light up don’t do it because they’re weak. They’re doing it to avoid the possibility that they’ll be caught out.
4. Society Called You “Hysterical” for Having Boundaries
When you were young, you learned:
- “Good girls don’t make a scene. “
- “You’re so emotional, calm down. “
- “Why can’t you just let things go? “
When you finally came out, when you declared, “This isn’t okay,” you were labeled:
- “Dramatic. “
- “Too much. “
- “Crazy. “
But the problem was not you. The problem was that they were unwilling to confront reality.
The Big Twist: Your “Paranoia” Was Your Superpower
You thought you had lost your mind. But did you know?
You weren’t paranoid; you were observant.
This gut instinct? Did you keep ignoring it? Your brain was picking small inconsistencies – the deceit, the manipulations, and the patterns that are hidden.
Yet each time you tried to bring them up, You were instructed:
- “You’re imagining things. “
- “You’re too suspicious. “
- “Not everything is about you. “
If you were to discover the truth that they were deceiving you, they’d lose control.
That’s precisely the thing they were scared of.
How to Take Your Power Back
1. Start Small: Write Down What You Remember
The pressure of gaslighting can make you question the truth of your memories. Make sure you keep your journal. Record what happened and the words spoken. If someone attempts to change the history of the past, you’ll have evidence.
2. Find Your People
Gaslighting is best in situations of isolation. Find at the very least one person who believes in you, whether a therapist, a friend, or a group of support. Someone who says: “No, you’re not crazy. I see it too. “
3. Let Yourself Be Angry
If you realize for how long you’ve been deceived and manipulated, you’ll be enraged. It’s good. Anger means you’re awakening. It’s the sign of having awoken up and no longer having them determine reality for you.
4. Rewrite the Story
You weren’t “crazy.” Your personality wasn’t “too sensitive.”
You were taught to be skeptical of yourself because this is how they kept you in a trance.
But it’s not so.
The Final Truth: They Needed You Broken. You Chose to Stay Whole.
Dearest you,
You survived. You did not do it because you weren’t strong but because you were more powerful than they ever thought you could be.
You weren’t a paranoid.
You weren’t laughing.
You didn’t think you were imagining anything.
You’re right.
What’s next?
You’re free.
Love,