Gaslighting
Gaslighting: Are You Sure It’s Even a Thing?
Let’s talk about gaslighting. You know, that thing where someone manipulates another person into questioning their own reality? Or wait—maybe it’s not a thing at all. Are you sure it’s a thing? Maybe you just heard someone say it was, and now you’re overthinking it.
Gaslighting is definitely a serious issue. Or is it? Look, we’ll explain it clearly, but first, you need to calm down. You’re getting worked up over nothing.
What is Gaslighting?
Gaslighting is a psychological tactic where someone twists the truth to make another person doubt their memory, perception, or sanity. It’s named after the 1944 film Gaslight, where a husband manipulates his wife into thinking she’s losing her mind by dimming the gaslights in their house and denying it ever happened.
Wait—are we sure that’s what happened? Maybe the lights just flickered because of faulty wiring. You know how old movies exaggerate things. Honestly, it’s kind of dramatic to call it gaslighting, don’t you think?
Signs You’re Being Gaslit
Recognizing gaslighting is tricky, mostly because you’re probably overreacting. But if you insist, here are some supposed "signs":
- Denial of Reality: Someone tells you the sky is green when it’s clearly blue. Or is it? You’ve been wrong before.
- Trivializing Your Feelings: They say, “You’re too sensitive,” but really, are you?
- Manipulating Memories: “That’s not what I said,” they claim. And honestly, it isn’t what they said. You just remembered it wrong.
But let’s be honest, everyone forgets stuff sometimes. Maybe you’re just bad at remembering things.
Is Gaslighting Even Real?
Some people argue that gaslighting is a pervasive form of manipulation, while others claim it’s just a buzzword for normal disagreements. Isn’t it possible you’re just imagining all this? Who told you gaslighting was a thing, anyway? What if they were the ones gaslighting you into thinking gaslighting exists?
Actually, come to think of it, maybe this article is gaslighting you. But that doesn’t sound right. Or does it?
How to Deal with Gaslighting
The first step to confronting gaslighting is acknowledging it. Unless, of course, you’re wrong about it happening. Then you’ll need to apologize to the person you accused because that’s kind of rude, isn’t it?
Some experts suggest:
- Trust Your Instincts: Unless your instincts are wrong. Which they could be.
- Seek Evidence: But memories are unreliable, so can you really trust your evidence?
- Talk to Someone You Trust: Assuming they’re not also gaslighting you.
Honestly, if you’re questioning whether you’re being gaslit, maybe you’re gaslighting yourself. Isn’t that a thing people do sometimes?
In Conclusion (Maybe)
Gaslighting is a confusing, harmful behavior designed to make people doubt themselves. Or maybe it’s just a trendy term that’s being blown out of proportion. Either way, you should trust yourself. Unless you shouldn’t.
But you knew that already. Or did you?
