Gaslighting "Lite" in Otherwise Good Marriages

The term “gaslighting” has become a buzzword in recent years and, because of its widespread use, the meaning of this term has become a bit murky. In a nutshell, gaslighting is when you are experiencing something and endeavoring to talk to the other person about it, but they flip it around on you so that you wind up questioning yourself, your own character, motivations, and even grip on reality. Today, I want to talk about what I call “gaslighting lite” or the ways that understanding the gaslight effect can help you navigate when gaslighting behaviors show up in your otherwise healthy relationship.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Common areas in which many, many people gaslight our partners or other people in our lives
• Why gaslighting shows up in otherwise healthy relationships 
• How you may be unconsciously participating in this pattern
• How you can extricate yourself from this painful cycle, whichever side of it you are on and turn past gaslighting lite into relationship gold

And more. 

Join the conversation by listening, then share your story or response on our voicemail at 206-659-9865 or inside our free Conscious Couples' Circle on Mighty Networks.

“Subconscious parts of us react in a knee-jerk fashion that might be out of character for us, might almost be like a different person's behavior, and that subconscious part does that in order to protect the blind spot.”
-Michele Lisenbury Christensen


Hot Moments in This Episode:

• How I’ve participated in “gaslighting lite” and how I intervened [13:48]
• The way you or your partner is acting like a 15-year-old [16:28]
• What can happen when you start calling out these behaviors [17:52]

I hope that this episode gives you a starting place to begin to unravel this gaslighting lite cycle and illuminate ​​the blind spots that will turn into areas of new life for you and your partner.

RESOURCES OR LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

We Can Do Hard Things Podcast: Are You Being Gaslighted?

The Gaslight Effect by Dr. Robin Stern

The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide by Dr. Robin Stern

What is DARVO?  by Dr. Jennifer J. Freyd

If the conversations on this podcast are resonating for you, please leave a rating and ideally a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Ready to bring about a transformation in your relationship to yourself, your body, and your partner? CLICK HERE to apply for a consultation.