Living Wisdom: Name the Behavior

Concept

The first step in reclaiming emotional clarity is to accurately identify manipulative or unhealthy behavior instead of excusing it. This allows you to stop internalizing guilt or confusion and take constructive steps forward.

Recognizing Crazy Maker Tactics

• Emotional manipulation
• Passive aggression
• Playing the victim
• Blame shifting
• Gaslighting (making you doubt your reality)

Examples

• A colleague says, “You’re too sensitive,” after publicly mocking you.
  You name it: “That’s not a joke — that’s humiliation.”

• A friend only calls when they need something and disappears when you’re struggling.
  You realize: “This isn’t mutual support; I’m being used.”

• Your partner says, “I didn’t mean it like that” after constantly criticizing you.
  You name it: “That’s criticism, even if it’s dressed up as concern.”

• Your parent regularly guilt-trips you with phrases like, “After all I’ve done for you…”
  You identify it: “That’s emotional blackmail.”

• A team member undermines your decisions in private but stays silent in meetings.
  You realize: “This is sabotage cloaked in politeness.”