Are you an emotional punching bag? By this I mean, are you in a relationship with someone who directs their frustration and anger your way? We all get angry and frustrated and we are all individually responsible for how we deal with these negative emotions. A healthy relationship consists of partners supporting one another and listening to the other have a moan. When that negative energy is directed at you however — it becomes emotional abuse.
Examples:
Your partner has a rough day at the office. They come home and instead of just telling you about their day, they also find the need to criticise you or put you down in some way to make them feel better. Comments such as: “You know nothing about business and about what goes on at work.” or they use a diverting tactic and moan at you for something that is completely unrelated but that somehow ligitimizes them having a go at you. An example: Why have we run out of milk? What have you been doing all day? Can’t you get it right?
The above examples may not seem that important but over time it can be likened to a tap slowly dripping on a rock’s surface. It will eventually leave a dent in the rock just as these underhanded criticisms will leave a dent in your self esteem and your confidence. Emotional manipulators and abusers are clever. They know how to manipulate a situation and…