Whoa! Before you even think for a nano-second that my answer would be anything close to yes, it isn’t! Here’s why I’m writing this today. A person in a Facebook group suggested that, perhaps, we’re making too much these days of emotional abuse. He suggested that, perhaps, it’s not as bad, common, or accurate as…
IS NAME-CALLING EVER OK? EVEN IN AN ARGUMENT? You lose it. You’re angry, out of control, and maybe, even a little out of your mind. You want to win. You want to be heard. You want to be acknowledged. You want to feel validated. So, some words you hate hearing from others come bellowing out…
Toxic people, difficult people, push you to do what they want you to do. Learn to say no. They will shame you, blame you, and game you into it…or, at least try. And, when you allow the manipulation, you feel one of two things: hopeful that, if you do what they want, they will like…
Have you ever experienced receiving criticism from someone you hardly knew–and, who hardly knew you? It’s a strange situation, isn’t it? I think so. I wonder if they think it is a way to build intimacy in a relationship that is barely past the acquaintance stage? Or, is it an attempt to demonstrate their vast awareness…
Leaving a Hijackal™–that relentlessly difficult person who hijacks the relationship for his or her own purposes–can be a double-edged sword. Hijackals scavenge the relationship for power, status, and control, and leave you feeling discouraged, demeaned, and disempowered. You finally recognize the need to leave, and then what? In my Facebook group, a member posted an…
Do people treat you poorly? Do you feel put-down, ignored, and walked over and taken advantage of? You need boundaries, strong, clear, expressed, and maintained boundaries. You need to believe you have the right to take up space and draw breath on this earth, and teach people how to treat you. Are you ready for…
If you were raised by a Hijackal®* parent, deep down, you know you’re not fine. You say you are, but you’re not. Maybe, you can’t even put your finger on how you know you’re not. I want to help with that. You may not have all five of these deep-down beliefs about yourself, but I…
Hindsight is excellent. You know that. One of the hardest things to see when you’re falling in love is those red flags. You want to fall in love. It’s wonderful. It’s magical. Nothing should get in its way. Not even a Hijackal™*! Those red flags may not have been waving wildly, just quietly and occasionally.…
Is what you’re going through–or watching someone else go through–just a rough patch or actually abuse? Too many people put up with bad behaviors they make excuses for, and put up with, that are really abusive and need to stop! Recognize abuse when it’s happening. No one likes to think they are being abused. You, like…
Infuriating, right? A difficult partner, likely a Hijackal™, refuses to take responsibility for anything that is not praise-worthy. S/he will step right in if they can take credit for something good. But, when something goes sideways, it’s all you, all your fault. And, that’s just one infuriating thing that goes on on a daily basis!…
