Early warning sign 1:

Diminishing behaviours make you feel small through a comment, exclusion, using one& #39;s body to overpower.

Each version is an attempt to assume control over a conversation, way of thinking, your choices or actions.

#AssertiveChat

Early warning sign 2:

Gaslighting is someone feeding back an edited version of your narrative, feelings or thoughts implying that what you& #39;re feeling is wrong and their version is correct.

Me: "I& #39;m feeling tired."
Them: "No you& #39;re not!"

It& #39;s mentally poisonous.

#AssertiveChat

Early warning sign 3:

Over the top praise or offers of empathy, uninvited. You feel obligated to receive and accept the offer but something inside feels inauthentic because there are strings attached. Say thanks, you appreciate the gesture and redirect focus.

#AssertiveChat

Early warning sign 4:

Ghosting is someone not responding to your texts, emails, messages without an explanation. The difference between & #39;maybe they& #39;re busy& #39; and ghosting is that you can feel it& #39;s intentional and when they finally respond, you feel stupid. Except you weren& #39;t.

Early warning sign 5:

Insincere apologies are & #39;I& #39;m sorry you feel that way& #39; or & #39;I& #39;m sorry that happened& #39;. The person isn& #39;t fully convinced of their wrongdoing and trying to placate you. The issue is that lack of accountability will enable history to repeat itself.