Tag: Journal Prompts

Manipulation, 7

Using emotional pressure to enforce a specific perimeter of behavior is manipulation. For example, I will berate and shame you in front of people if you behave outside of my desires. This is different from a healthy boundary. A healthy boundary acts from a place of value and clear language, not reactive and emotional revenge. A boundary says, this is not okay with me and then takes action inservice of emotional safety. Manipulation hovers and attempts to control behavior with emotional aggression. - Journal Prompts: Instead of attempts at manipulation, I need to set a boundary with... It feels emotionally aggressive when...

Manipulation, 6

Withdrawal can be a form of manipulation. Contrary to the common name, "silent treatment," this type of withdrawal is actually screaming. Withdrawal manipulates by loudly threatening attachment and punishing with isolation. At exhaustion—Overrun with internally explosive and festering emotions—the manipulated will raise the white flag in surrender. - Journal Prompts: I withdraw when... My withdrawal is actually screaming... I raise the white flag when...

Manipulation, 2

To address manipulation, we must first understand it. At its core, manipulation is often functional—it's a way people get their needs met. Users of manipulative language often struggle to know how to ask for what they need. A compassionate interpretation might be that this is how someone learned to get needs met within their family of origin. Perhaps direct and assertive language was either unwelcome or even viewed as disrespectful. While unhealthy, there are understandable parts. Journal Prompts: I don't know how to ask for... Direct language is...