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A Sojourn In Emotional Manipulation
A recent incident reminded me of the emotional manipulation men often play…and my own self doubt.
It would be great if it was only partners who were guilty of this, but even men who are friends, especially if they are trying to be more, will do their damndest to make you emotionally invested in their approval. It’s all part of the process because they understand once they have you emotionally, they have you.
The Comedian
A guy I’d befriended recently to assist him with writing was calling and texting me daily — 3 to 4 texts a day and 1 to 2 calls per day. So I replied less and less as I was both irritated and busy.
These manipulative tactics have lasting effects in our lives. It always begins with gaslighting, a form of emotional manipulation that has you consistently doubting what you know and how you respond to situations. Gaslighting is used in racism and other forms of manipulation and oppression but here we are talking about the way it impacts women.
Then he messaged me asking where he could get sleeping pills and confessed he was contemplating suicide. Mind you I had only known him four days. We talked only once in person and that was the first day we met. I told him to call 911 or a hotline for help. He…
