 We've all heard of gaslighting. But there are a few aspects we may not recognize as gaslighting because of its subtle and insidious nature, which is why we will be discussing this today. For those who don't know, what exactly is gaslighting? Well, picture this. You're feeling pretty confident about your memory and your version of events, but then someone comes along and starts making you doubt yourself. They twist things around, deny what you know to be true, or straight up invalidate your feelings. With that said, here are some surprising signs of gaslighting you might have missed. Constant contradictions. Ever had someone not along to your story only to turn around and say, that's not what happened? Some people might subtly try to gaslight you either to steal the spotlight, let me tell you how I remember it, or change the narrative and make themselves seem more sympathetic. Sometimes it might not even be intentional, like when they just have a really assertive or argumentative personality, but accidental or not, having someone constantly contradict you is still a subtle form of gaslighting that can leave you doubting your memory and perception. Selective memory. Picture this. You're going over your plans with a workmate or classmate about a project, and they suddenly forget they agreed to something you both discussed yesterday. You explain to them what happened, but still they insist you're wrong. Frustrating, right? Gaslighters excel at selective memory, rewriting history to fit their narrative and deleting any inconvenient truths, like mistakes they made or commitments they want to get out of. Minimizing your feelings. Picture this. You're upset about something, pouring your heart out, and instead of empathy, you get a dismissive. You're overreacting. Ouch. Gaslighters love to downplay your emotions, especially if they're the reason behind it. Making you feel like you're making a big deal out of nothing. Being told things like it's not that serious or you're too sensitive is already a sneaky form of gaslighting, because the other person is ignoring what you believe or perceive. Like doing something bad even when you told them it's a bad idea. They're indirectly making you feel that what you think or say is unimportant or wrong, which makes you doubt yourself and feel that you're delusional. Microaggression. Imagine you're answering in class and someone says, you're pretty good at math or science for a girl. Or maybe you'll get praised at work, only for another colleague to say, hey, you're pretty smart for someone who didn't go to college. What if you were walking down the street and a person came up to tell you, wow, you're so brave for wearing that outfit. These small comments or actions might seem harmless, but they can really mess with your head over time and make you question your abilities and choices. Microaggressions, like backhanded compliments and thinly veiled insults, are like a quiet form of gaslighting because they chip away at your confidence and make you doubt your own experiences. It's like they're subtly telling you that you don't fit their idea of what's normal or acceptable without actually telling you. And when you try to call them out on their insensitive behavior, they'll most likely shrug it off and say something like, that's not what I meant, or you're too sensitive. So, recognize any of these patterns of behavior in your relationships? Notice any other warning signs that someone is trying to make you doubt yourself? Share your insights in the comments down below. Gaslighting isn't always as obvious as we think. It can sneak its way into our lives, leaving us feeling confused, insecure, and downright frustrated, and sometimes even the gaslighters themselves on a way of the harm they're causing others. But that doesn't excuse their behavior. Remember, you deserve to feel heard, respected, and validated. Trust yourself, trust your instincts, and never forget your worth. Want to dive deeper and learn more about gaslighting? Check out our other videos like 6 types of gaslighting to be aware of, and 10 examples of what gaslighting sounds like, and if you found this video helpful, show some love by giving it a thumbs up, sharing it with your friends, and hitting that subscribe button. Thanks for watching!