Guilt-tripping is a form of manipulation.. bringing up resolved issues to justify current mistreatment is a way of shifting responsibility. Past conflicts do not excuse threats, dishonesty, or verbal abuse.
Lying/withholding information is manipulation.. selective transparency around the one topic that is causing conflict can make it very difficult to rebuild trust.
Gaslighting and emotional blackmail is manipulation.. using fear and making someone question their memory, feelings, and reality..
Shifting blame is a form of manipulation.. instead of taking responsibility for your actions you would blame me..
Intimidation is manipulation.. leaving to call her back then threatening to punch me in the face because I didn’t say anything when she called you a second time.. then later saying you wish you had done it.. getting angry over a lack of response and using it as a reason for you to verbally attack me is manipulation.. you knew the doubt was already there and instead of communicating, you chose violence.
Creating a double standard is manipulation.. expecting me to trust your friendship after you told me yall had sex as an “April fools” joke is maniacal.. you didn’t communicate every time something bothered you in the moment, sometimes you waited until you were vexed about something unrelated to voice it. Other times I would get the silent treatment for a week. But when I did it the response wasn’t always met with the grace or understanding you were given.
We both had hiccups when it came to communicating yet I was the blame for it all. —
