 Everyone's got a dark side, but it's up to us whether we let it control our actions. Encountering evil individuals can be a deeply unsettling experience, especially when we become aware of their true nature. People who are malicious and avoid dealing with their pain might resort to nasty tactics when they know you've figured out what they're really up to. Whether it's a toxic friend, a manipulative partner, or even a family member, it is important to unmask their manipulative tactics once they know you're onto them. By understanding these behaviors, you'll be better equipped to protect yourself, regain control, and maintain your mental well-being. So let's dive in. They twist the truth. When evil people know that you are aware of their true selves, they may resort to twisting the truth to protect their self-image. By twisting the truth, they attempt to manipulate the situation to their advantage. They'll either deny they did it or try to justify it. Realizing that you have uncovered their true nature makes them resort to minimization tactics where they downplay the harm they've caused, making it challenging for you to fully grasp the extent of their malevolence. However, staying grounded in your own truth and seeking clarity can help you navigate their deceptive tactics. Projection. When they know they're on the verge of being ousted by you, they love to fall back on projection tactics. An old and classic move. These individuals project their own negative traits onto others to avoid acknowledging their own faults. Toxic people make you feel that you are the problem, when in fact you are not the problem. By projecting their negative qualities onto you, they try to shift the blame away from themselves. Being self-aware and maintaining healthy boundaries can help you protect yourself from their projections. Their Woe is me victim role. Their central theme in life is poor me. When evil people know you have seen through their facade, they may adopt a Woe is me victim role. They may play the victim to illicit sympathy and manipulate others' perceptions. Recognizing this behavior can help you maintain empathy while also ensuring your own well-being. Providing them to take responsibility for their actions and seeking support from trusted individuals can be key in navigating this situation. Manipulative guilt. These individuals may employ manipulative guilt to control and manipulate your emotions. They wield guilt-tripping as a tool to make you feel responsible for their actions or to undermine your confidence. These guilt-trips always start small and over the long term their toxicity can build. It's their way of making you doubt yourself when all you're trying to do is to establish a more healthy dynamic. Recognizing this manipulation can help you establish healthy boundaries and prioritize your emotional well-being. If they refuse or try to make you feel even more guilty, Masai says the best thing to do in this situation is to protect yourself and leave. Isolation. Evil individuals when aware that you know their true nature may attempt to isolate you from others. They may use isolation as a means of maintaining control and power over you. Their goal is to make you dependent on them. Once an individual is isolated, they'll feel trapped and helpless. It is important to stay connected with trusted friends, family, or support groups during this time. Building a strong support system can provide you with the necessary strength and perspective to resist their attempts at isolation. Exploit. When evil individuals realize you are aware of their true selves, they may try to exploit your vulnerabilities. They may manipulate your weaknesses to gain power and control. They use charm, guilt-tripping, or other manipulative techniques to maintain their control over you and prevent you from exposing their true selves. Recognizing your own strengths and vulnerabilities and seeking support from trusted individuals can help you protect yourself from their exploitative tactics. Get back at you. Feeling threatened by your knowledge of their true nature, they can attempt to get back at you. They may seek revenge or try to inflict harm as a means of regaining control. They may even resort to aggression or hostility as a means of preserving their self-image and exerting control over the situation. Staying vigilant and maintaining your own emotional well-being are crucial in navigating this situation. Seeking support from legal authorities or professionals is important if you believe you may be facing a similar situation. But here's the thing about evil people. They may try, yet we have the power to stand strong, to expose their darkness and to protect ourselves with empathy and resilience. Recognizing the signs of manipulative behavior is the first step towards protecting yourself and reclaiming your power. Do you recognize any of these tactics in someone? Let us know. Thanks for watching.