If you ever experienced gaslighting, you’ll know how easy it is to believe an abuser who is so convincing.
Maybe you were imagining things. Maybe you are too sensitive…
…Or maybe the narcissist has you right where they want you.
You see, there are other ways to react when you’re told something that isn’t true, with zero room for the narcissist to be able to manipulate you.
Sounds interesting? Good. You’ve come to the right place for the 10 coldest reactions you can give them.
# 1“No”
I’ll stop you right there. No.
For only containing two letters, the word no is big and powerful, it really is.
Not enough people give it the time it really deserves, and I know for a fact that when spoken, no can take people aback.
What do you mean, no?
It’s almost a look of shock on a narcissist’s face as they raise an eyebrow and watch you defy them.
That’s why it works and leaves no room for manipulation. Nobody can overthrow a no if it is spoken strongly enough.
# 2“I’m sorry, did you say something?”
Completely deflate and depower the narcissist’s attempt to gaslight you by pretending to not even hear what they’re saying.
It might seem difficult to do as you want to react, protest your innocence, or agree to keep the peace, but if you act nonchalant, it can give a strong message.
As the narcissist attempts to push their narrative onto you, making you crumble that little bit more, you acting like they aren’t saying anything remotely important or relevant will shake them to their core.
# 3“You’re doing it again”
What a reality check for the narcissist, who knows exactly what they’re doing and how they’re doing it.
Crawling under your skin to make you try to believe what they tell you is true is a low blow, and when you know the truth, you can act accordingly.
You’re doing it again.
You’re trying to manipulate me.
You’re trying to convince me of something that isn’t true.
Call them out and shine the mirror to their face directly.
They will hate it, sure. But that’s not your problem.
# 4“I know my truth”
Stand tall and refuse to be painted as somebody who will easily shift their opinion just because you’re told to.
I know narcissists can be very convincing, but if you learn their habits, you will be able to keep track of their tricks.
Gaslighting is designed only to please them. It does nothing for you, and should be seen as a dangerous attempt to abuse you over and over again.
Knowing your truth and refusing to believe the lies the narcissist is rolling out is where the dynamics will change.
There’s no harm in reminding them what you know and remember is true, and if they have a problem with that, it only reveals their true fear:
That you are no longer somebody who follows their words and stocks them up as truths.
Be cold, and don’t let your reaction give any room for conflict.
All you have to remind them is that your truth matters, and that you aren’t going to change it just because they want you to.
The time has come to make a stand, so do it proudly.
# 5“I have proof”
Oooh, come on! Hit us with you proof! We want to know exactly what the narcissist did to gaslight you so we can validate and reassure you!
You see, even when proof is being waved around, narcissists still try to protest their innocence.
They don’t want to know what you have up your sleeve, because they’re so obsessed with themselves they will tell you that it was manufactured by you in order to frame them.
We know the truth. I know that you have what you have and it’s enough to prove the narcissist is an abuser.
The colder you are with your proof, the better. The narcissist then has no leg to stand on.
# 6“Why do you always try to confuse me?”
That’s it. Come right out and ask. Say it loud for everybody to hear if you have to because these narcissists can’t keep getting away with gaslighting you!
Why do you keep doing this?
Why are you attempting to confuse me yet again?
You’re letting them know a few things. Number one – you know their moves now.
They are becoming predictable, and for them, it’s their worst nightmare coming true.
Number two – you’re calling them out every single time they attempt to gaslight you because you know what’s happening, and they can’t stand it.
#7 “It won’t work”
This one is a big ouch. No, it won’t work. You are giving them the information as plain as day, and they really have nowhere to run from it except back under the rock they crawled from.
You are putting your hand out and telling them to stop. It won’t work.
What you’re doing is wrong, but you will not overstep my boundaries today, thank you very much.
There’s nothing wrong with being this direct. In fact, it’s better to be this way rather than keep letting the narcissist confuse the hell out of you every single day you’re together.
#8 “I know what you’re up to”
Letting the narcissist know that you know their plans will work wonders. It proves you’re a step ahead of the game they thought was unbeatable.
The very toxic game the narcissist invented has now been overthrown by its longest unwilling player.
This is no mean feat, and is an incredibly cold reaction to offer out when the narcissist is trying hard to gaslight you.
Let’s not forget how abusive gaslighting can actually be, and with a little knowledge and courage, you can defend yourself fully.
#9 “You have your version of reality, and I have the actual version”
Oh, yes! Keep speaking truths!
That’s what this boils down to, isn’t it? Your version of reality is what you lived through, and the narcissists are what they want you to believe, for reasons that suit them entirely!
Stick with yours and ensure that there is no way on this earth that you are going to be led astray by some manipulative thoughts of another.
Prove that you matter the most, and be cold as ice with your reaction.
#10 Walk away
Turn on your heel and walk away the second the narcissist tries to gaslight you. LEave the room,and don’t even offer an explanation.
Why? Because nothing is colder, and you are showing them that you aren’t even going to grace them with any form of verbal response.
You’ve been there and done that before, and it hasn’t worked. So now?
Now they get to see the back of your head walking away without a single mutter or mumble back.
Sometimes you just have to get out of the environment that is making you sick, and if you can’t take care of yourself, then you will never leave this abusive situation.
Walking away shows the narcissist that you don’t even care enough to react, which is exactly what they were not expecting.
