Dating them was a whirlwind of passion, like Christmas, the 4th of July and Your birthday all rolled into one

But these days, the passionate fantasy lover you connected with so deeply has vanished, and you’re walking on eggshells to avoid upsetting them

They promised you the earth but your dreams never materialized in reality

They have money, but you’re not allowed to spend any, even on necessities like food and clothes

You’re always wrong, even when you’re right

Did we mention how you’re always wrong?

A huge part of your relationship involves playing small to avoid being the target of your partner’s anger

They “drink” your self-esteem for breakfast, leading you to doubt your self-worth and decisions

You looked up the word “gaslighting” on Google and what you read made your stomach churn with dread.

You feel a huge pressure to conform and agree

They are never EVER guilty, even when caught red handed with their hand in the cookie jar

The way you remember things is always “wrong”, especially when it comes to anything your partner said or did

It feels like you’re going crazy, and your partner is happy to encourage that thought

You feel confused, as if living with your head in a cloud

You never have time for your own physical, emotional, and spiritual needs

Your partner says YOU dominate them, but no one else ever accused you of acting that way

Your partner is always promising the once in a lifetime trip away, the house, the perfect adventure… But it never happens.

You feel lonely, isolated from friends, and trapped in your relationship

You suspect they are cheating, or a new person, a special “friend”, has been introduced to your relationship, and you feel deeply ashamed, humiliated, and uncomfortable

“Even when you lose your job, your partner, and house, this conversion is still always ALL about ME, ” … This one explains itself

You’re a kind, thoughtful, loyal friend but somehow this person always leaves you feeling guilty and wrong

Your personal boundaries don’t matter. Ever.

You meet a new partner, get a pay raise, or share other good news - but your ‘friend’ will ALWAYS make a cruel, passive aggressive comment to burst your balloon

They want you when they need something - money, a good time, someone to listen to, etc. But when the shoe is on the other foot, they’re nowhere to be seen.

Their body language and passive aggressive comments make you feel small, stupid, and ugly around them. It’s an unequal relationship and deep down you know it.

They decide the plan, not you. Your friendship is their personal space, and you’re in it.

The idea of setting a clear boundary with them makes you nervous, uncomfortable or upset in a way that would never apply with your other close friends

Your boss lets you do all the work then takes credit and expects your undying admiration

They criticize and demean you instead of supporting and encouraging you

They have a “golden child” favorite employee who can do no wrong while you and everyone else get scapegoated for everything that goes wrong

Your boss likes to pressurize and drain the brightest, hardest-working employees until they give up and leave

There’s a pay rise in the pipeline, but somehow, it never quite arrives

You work later than your boss when the project deadline is near (meanwhile, they stroll casually off to afterwork drinks.)

They move the goal posts halfway through a project or deal, or set unrealistic targets that guarantee you will fail

You know better than to openly challenge their authority or need to be right

They expect you to trust them, admire, and look up to them as a leader, but your intuition screams at you to get a new job asap

They couldn’t care less about your happiness in the workplace until it suits them to publicly pretend they care