Gaslighting is a type of psychological manipulation technique that narcissists use to make you question your judgment, thoughts, ideas, and even how you perceive the world around you.
Unfortunately, it’s not just other people who shine the spotlight on you. You can light the gas yourself. If you are in a toxic relationship with a narcissist, the likelihood of gaslighting yourself is very high. Although this is true, there are steps you can take to recognize self-gaslighting and overcome this situation.
Explanation of self-lighting with gas
Self-gaslighting, often called internal gaslighting, is what you do when you suppress your feelings and thoughts. This happens if you actively tell yourself that your perceptions, feelings, thoughts, and ideas are invalid or inaccurate.
It’s kind of an internalized version of the psychological and verbal abuse that the narcissist inflicts on you over the years.
Signs that you are gaslighting yourself
Some signs that you are self-gaslighting include:
You don’t trust yourself
If you are faced with a situation where you have to change your life or make a decision, you may worry that you will make the wrong decision. For some, this is debilitating, especially if you don’t have someone you can talk to about your choices. You may also want someone to tell you what to do, for fear that you will mess everything up if you make the decision yourself.
You don’t know yourself
Are you not sure how to talk about yourself? If someone asks you something, do you change the subject quickly? You may feel numb and lost as if you no longer know who you are.
If someone asks you directly what you like or want, you can’t answer them. After spending years focusing on a narcissist’s whims, desires, and needs, you may lose the ability to talk about your identity.
You blame yourself
You may not even like yourself at this stage, and your self-confidence may be non-existent. Regardless of who is at fault, if something goes wrong, you may assume that you are the only person responsible. Even if there is clear evidence that someone else is responsible, you will likely find a way to make the situation your fault.
#You constantly apologizeDo you constantly say, “I’m sorry?” Do you do this so often that others ask you to stop apologizing so much? If so, this is another sign of self-illumination.#You feel like a fraudDo you always worry that someone will find out that you’re not “enough” or that you’re not a complete person? Do you suffer from imposter syndrome, where everything you do makes you feel like you’re pretending? If so, this is another sign that you are self-lighting.# Overcome self-illuminationRealizing that you are self-lighting is the first step to overcoming it. THRIVE can help you get to a place of self-empowerment, self-love, and finally feeling better about yourself.So, if you want to gain the freedom that comes from healing and balancing your mind, body, spirit, and spirit,…and rediscover the joy and simplicity of the way your life was naturally meant to be.
