In relationships, there are times when the other party does something that just doesn't feel right. Maybe they aren't acting how they used to act, maybe they change their behavior without telling you, or maybe they tell you one thing and do another. These behaviors are common signs of a manipulator.
Manipulation happens when someone treats you like property instead of a human being. It can also involve lying, stealing, or cheating.
Most people have had experiences with manipulation in their life, and you know it when you see it. A manipulator often tries to manipulate your emotions, your decisions, your choices, and even your actions.
You may notice that these people keep you from growing emotionally. They try to force you to behave a certain way or follow certain paths, and in doing so, they're controlling and manipulating you. You don't necessarily like the behavior of someone who is trying to manipulate you, but you're too scared to let it go.
The worst part about a manipulator is that their tactics usually work. They are convincing and very good at it. However, they can also be very hard to spot, which is why I thought it was important to write this article.
STEP 1: Trust Yourself - Don't Let Anyone Tell You What To Do
When it comes to identifying manipulators, it's vital to trust yourself first. There's nothing worse than feeling like you have no control over your own life, especially when you're surrounded by people trying to manipulate you.
It's much better to find out early on if a person is trying to manipulate you than to be manipulated by them, and you can do this easily by trusting your intuition.
STEP 2: Ask Questions
Now that you've identified a manipulative person, the next step is to ask questions. These questions can help you learn more about how the manipulator operates.
The best questions to ask are simple ones like, "How can I help you?" or "What can I do to make this easier?".
If the other person is willing to answer, they'll probably want to share how they can help you out. You may also learn something that you didn't know about them.
STEP 3: Notice Patterns
Sometimes, people behave the same way every single day or week. This is called a pattern. It can be a good thing or a bad thing, but it's always something worth paying attention to.
Take note of all the situations where this person shows the same behavior over and over.
These situations can be very telling. For example, if you notice the same behaviors coming from your partner every time they spend money or have an argument, you may be dealing with a manipulator.
STEP 4: Understand Their Needs - Not Yours
Many people are naturally drawn towards others, and this is why people manipulate others to meet their needs.
They may manipulate your needs by wanting you to stay close to them or be around them. Or maybe they manipulate your needs by pushing you to do things that