Meet Sarah and Mark. Their relationship, like many others, began with love and optimism. However, beneath the surface, a toxic and manipulative behavior pattern was silently eroding the very core of their connection. Gaslighting, a form of psychological manipulation, had taken root, impacting not only their feelings but also their instincts and mental stability. Let’s take a look at Sarah and Mark’s relationship to illustrate what gaslighting looks like in the context of real-life couples. Through their story, we’ll explore the three key signs to watch out for and, most importantly, how to address and heal from this destructive dynamic. Sarah and Mark’s journey serves as a poignant reminder that gaslighting can happen to anyone, but with awareness and action, it can be overcome.   What Gaslighting Looks Like in a Relationship   Gaslighting can be insidious and difficult to identify, but there are clear signs that can help you recognize it.   🌟Self-Doubt and Confusion Gaslighting, as seen in Sarah and Mark’s relationship, can lead to persistent self-doubt and an overwhelming sense of confusion. For instance, Sarah often felt trapped in a whirlwind of doubt, thinking, “Am I going crazy?” and questioning her sanity. This internal turmoil was a direct result of Mark’s manipulative tactics. He systematically undermined her perceptions and made her question the validity of her thoughts and feelings. This tactic of gaslighting left Sarah feeling as though she couldn’t trust her judgment, a sensation that was both disorienting and distressing. It’s a common experience for those subjected to gaslighting, where their sense of reality is consistently undermined, leaving them feeling bewildered and uncertain about their thoughts and emotions.   🌟Feeling Lost and Suppressed Gaslighting can have a profound impact, leaving you feeling disoriented, unsure of yourself, and trapped in self-doubt. It’s not uncommon to suppress your…

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When Life Gives You Kittens: Lessons in Trusting Your Intuition and Building a Supportive Circle Hello there, it’s Dr Liz, and I’m thrilled to share a story with you—a real-life event involving kittens, curveballs, and some massive life lessons. This heartwarming tale unfolded recently, and it speaks volumes about the importance of trusting our inner voice and surrounding ourselves with wise advisors. A Monday Like No Other Picture my daughter in the middle of a frantic Monday morning, swamped with work commitments, meetings, and looming deadlines. Sounds stressful, right? It was. But as she drove out of her office parking lot, something extraordinary happened. A car in front of her jolted, and two tiny feline furballs—kittens!—tumbled onto the asphalt. She had the decision to make. One that might seem small in the grand scheme of things, but sometimes, it’s the “small” decisions that reveal the most about our character. Listening to That Inner Voice Ignoring the ticking clock and her jam-packed day, our daughter listened to her gut. She pulled over, scooped up the kittens, and made several calls to figure out what to do next. With her work unable to house the kittens and local animal shelters closed, she faced a conundrum. She called us, and we brainstormed together, ultimately deciding that the kittens could stay in her car for a short while, safely tucked in a crate. Fast-forward an hour, and life surprised us again. One of her coworkers adopted the kittens, giving them names—”Speedbump” and “Skidmark”—and a forever home. The Life Lessons Unveiled So, what can we take away from this story? Here are some takeaways: Trust Your Gut: Intuition is the inner compass that helps us navigate the complexities of life. When in doubt, trust it. Stay True to Your Values: In moments of dilemma, your…

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Life is a whirlwind. Our days fill up quickly between work deadlines, parenting responsibilities, and social commitments. But in this perpetual busyness, have we inadvertently allowed “busy” to become a third entity in our relationships? Let’s pause momentarily to consider how we might reclaim time for what truly matters: each other. The Illusion of Busyness Being “busy” has become somewhat of the norm, even a status symbol for some. It gives the illusion of importance, of being needed. But at what cost? Relationships often get sidelined in a rush to accomplish everything on our to-do lists. Conversations become transactional, date nights become optional, and emotional intimacy wanes. We lose the ‘us’ in the equation when constantly busy. How Busyness Masks Relationship Gaps Sometimes, the busyness serves a more insidious purpose. It acts as a distraction — a smoke screen that hides the issues we’re unwilling to confront in our relationship. If you’re always chasing deadlines or tending to chores, you won’t have time to face emotional gaps or misaligned goals. In such cases, busyness becomes a crutch, a way to avoid the tough conversations that might reveal cracks in the partnership. Take The Busyness Test Here’s a quick experiment: look at your weekly schedule and tally up the amount of time dedicated to ‘us time.’ Compare it to the time allocated for work, chores, or social commitments. If you find a significant disparity, it’s time to reprioritize. Making Time for Each Other Schedule ‘Us Time’: Make it non-negotiable. Whether it’s a weekly date night or a simple coffee break, scheduling time for each other ensures that your relationship won’t be the sacrificial lamb in your busy life. Open Communication: Let your partner in on your busy world. Share schedules, synchronize calendars, and actively find slots to unwind together. Reevaluate Priorities: Is that…

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Introduction: When a Question Changes Everything There are moments in our professional and personal journeys where a simple question can make all the difference. During my corporate life, I found myself in one such moment. Discussions unfolded in a high-stakes meeting with my peers and upper management at a new company, and an acronym—RTP—kept coming up. Though everyone else nodded as if they understood, I was unfamiliar with the term.   The “Uncomfortable” Question At first, I considered staying silent; I was the new kid on the block. But then it struck me: “If I don’t understand what RTP means, how can I contribute meaningfully to this discussion?” So, I took a deep breath and asked for clarification.   “A well-placed question can be the catalyst for change, whether you’re discussing quarterly financial reports or navigating emotional intricacies with your spouse.”    The room fell silent, eyes shifted, but a constructive response followed. The VP admitted he wasn’t entirely sure of the correct definition either. He then promptly emailed corporate communications to clarify the term, leading to a company-wide reminder that it’s better to ask than to make silent assumptions.   The Lesson: Assumptions Can Be Dangerous This experience revealed the ease with which we can make assumptions and guesses, whether in boardrooms or bedrooms. Assumptions can lead to misunderstandings, wasted resources, or flawed strategies. Guesses give us a 50/50 chance of being right, leaving much room for error. In relationships, these assumptions can sow seeds of disappointment and erode trust, leading to unnecessary confusion, conflicts, and emotional disconnection.   The Solution: Clear Communication So, what’s the solution? Clear, honest communication involves staying open, curious, and actively listening to each other.   Turning Beliefs into Accuracy We should strive to turn our beliefs into accurate understandings in our professional and…

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