Relationships can be tricky to navigate with all the emotions involved, but there are surefire signs to be aware of what will let you know if you’re in a toxic relationship. In this article, we’ll cover some of the main themes of toxic relationships. If you are feeling any of these, it’s time to put […]
Identifying Toxic Relationships and How to Safely Exit Read More »
This is our last WU Blog on Ending Manipulation. Because it’s not a good idea to keep giving our energy to someone with whom we feel upset or angry, or by whom we’re being manipulated, here’s a wonderful tool to preserve your energy: The Closed-Door Exercise. “The Closed-Door Exercise is a simple yet powerful process
You’re An Energy Being—Protect Your Energy! Read More »
We’ve spent a lot of time describing what I call “Lifestyle Manipulators.” But what are adults like when they end their manipulative behaviors? “Welcome to the world of non-manipulation. It is populated with mature, assertive people. Let’s talk about and experience within yourself and others. Let’s look at what you can expect to experience within
Ending Manipulation: Characteristics of Assertive, Mature People Read More »
In all my years of working as a psychotherapist, I’ve never read or heard about the issue of self-manipulation. I think that often when we become angry with ourselves, we’re really responding to having manipulated our own self into doing something we don’t really want to do! I include the entire chapter here, so you
Is it Possible to Manipulate Ourselves? Read More »
Manipulation is either passive or aggressive—the threat of taking something (like love or a relationship) away, or the promise of doing something that affects us negatively. Take time to identify the manipulation you experience. Are okay with these things happening? If not, identify what you’d like to experience instead. How can you create that for
Stepping Out of Manipulation Read More »
A few more characteristics of Lifestyle Manipulators are particularly important: they help us understand how to exert enough power to get out of manipulative situations. Keep in mind: The Lifestyle Manipulator is only as powerful as a 3–4-year-old child, or as powerful as we allow! More from Chapter Six “Believe in Action Only” “Because the
Ending Manipulation: Who Can Actually Have Power with Manipulators? Read More »
In the last installment, we introduced characteristics of what I call “Lifestyle Manipulators,” people who use manipulation as their primary interactional mode. Do you recognize when you’re being manipulated? There are expectable patterns of action and behavior performed by all Lifestyle Manipulators. Knowing them enables us to take quicker action in removing ourselves from manipulative
Ending Manipulation: Recognizing Lifestyle Manipulators – Part 2 Read More »
We all manipulate at some point in life. We’re designed to outgrow manipulation by adulthood. “Lifestyle Manipulators” are those who continue to use manipulation as their primary pattern of relating to others. Looking at the behaviors of Lifestyle Manipulators makes it clearer to perceive how manipulation works. You don’t have to be a Lifestyle Manipulator
Ending Manipulation: Recognizing Lifestyle Manipulators Read More »
In our previous installment, we talked about whether manipulation is “bad.” It is not. Manipulation begins as a super asset, allowing us to get our needs met so we can survive. We’re designed to outgrow this behavior as we mature. When we grow up and still behave manipulatively, that’s when manipulation starts working against us
Ending Manipulation: How Pain Works in Helping Us Change Read More »
In the last post, we talked about the energy aspect of manipulation. It is vital to understand that manipulation is about using the energy of others. We are moving into new ways of being and becoming more aware of ourselves as Energy Beings. We cannot be our authentic selves, live fully empowered, or develop our
Ending Manipulation – Is Manipulation “Bad?” Read More »
