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5 ‘Fallacies' Narcissists Use To Confuse And Control You — By A Psychologist
5 ‘Fallacies' Narcissists Use To Confuse And Control You — By A Psychologist

Forbes

time14 hours ago

  • Health
  • Forbes

5 ‘Fallacies' Narcissists Use To Confuse And Control You — By A Psychologist

Narcissists rely on these five 'logical fallacies' like a crutch. But, with a little bit of probing, ... More their arguments ultimately fall flat. Narcissists may come across as confident and convincing during arguments. But as soon as you peel back the surface layers of their reasoning, it begins to lose its integrity. That's because, as research shows, narcissists aren't interested in understanding opposing perspectives. They only care about winning. A 2023 study from Frontiers in Psychology found that narcissists tend to score low in intellectual humility. In other words, they're quick to assume they're right — and just as quick to reject any and all evidence that challenges them. Instead of engaging in good-faith dialogue, they usually resort to manipulative tactics that prop up their ego and snuff dissent. Beyond protecting the narcissist's self-image, these tactics also serve to exploit their victims' vulnerability. As a 2024 study in Memory & Cognition explains, people are more likely to accept weak or poorly reasoned arguments if those arguments align with what they already believe or fear. Narcissists leverage this cognitive bias by framing their arguments in emotionally loaded ways: they reinforce your insecurities by twisting the logic just enough to make you second-guess yourself. This allows them to arm themselves with a suite of flawed but familiar tactics; each is designed to confuse, derail and dominate both you and the conversation. In a previous article, I covered five of the most common fallacies that narcissists rely on. In this follow-up, I'll explore five more tactics they keep in their arsenal — and how they use them to stay in control. A causal fallacy occurs when someone mistakenly assumes there to be a cause-and-effect relationship between two events. This can be achieved in various ways: by oversimplifying an obviously complex situation, by falsely attributing blame to a victim or simply by jumping to conclusions without any evidence. These fallacies are especially dangerous in confrontations, as they serve to manipulatively distort the victim's sense of reality. For instance, a narcissist might claim, 'You made me yell at you by stressing me out.' Here, they imply that their anger was a direct result of the victim's actions. In one sentence, the aggressor suggests the victim is responsible for their behavior, while simultaneously ignoring the fact they chose to react aggressively. Narcissists employ causal fallacies as a means to shift blame onto their victims, all while avoiding accountability for their actions. They represent their behavior as an inevitable reaction to something external; in turn, they spin a narrative in which the victim is the one at fault. Unlike many of the other fallacies, the burden of proof fallacy doesn't serve to conjure up false narratives, nor to ignore or refute the points that have been made. Instead, it occurs when someone shifts the responsibility of proving a claim onto the person who initially made it. Yet, in great similarity to the other fallacies, this tactic also serves to evade accountability. Specifically, because it demands an unreasonable — or even impossible — level of evidence from the accuser. For instance, if a victim says, 'You've been lying to me,' the narcissist would simply respond with, 'Well, then prove it.' Even if there's very clear circumstantial evidence to support the claim, they refuse to acknowledge wrongdoing. That is, unless the victim provides absolute, irrefutable proof, which makes it all the more difficult to hold them accountable. Narcissists rely on the burden of proof when they are acutely aware of how challenging it will be for their victim to distinctly or undeniably evince their deception or manipulation. Naturally, deferring this responsibility sets an incredibly unfair standard: it makes it nearly impossible for their victim to gain closure or defend their dignity. The appeal to nature fallacy erroneously assumes that something is good, right or acceptable simply by claiming that it's 'natural.' Despite how persuasive these arguments may sound, it's important to note that this reasoning completely ignores whatever ethical concerns surround the behaviors. The appeal to nature oversimplifies objectively harmful human behaviors; by attributing these behaviors to biology or tradition — rather than personal choice — the victim is falsely led to believe that they're impossible to condemn. For instance, a male narcissist might justify their aggression by saying, 'Men are just naturally dominant. You should accept it.' Or, on the other hand, a female narcissist might say, 'Women are naturally overprotective. You can't blame me for that.' Arguments like these suggest that harmful behaviors, such as control or possessiveness, are merely unavoidable. But, in reality, these behaviors are always a conscious decision — ones that can and should be challenged and changed. Narcissists appeal to nature purely so that they can normalize their unacceptable or abusive behaviors. They frame their actions as either natural or inevitable, and, as a result, they render any meaningful discussion regarding boundaries futile. More insidiously, these appeals make their victim feel unreasonable for expecting a different or better relationship with the aggressor. Cyclically, this reinforces control by making it seem as though the victim is resisting something fundamental, rather than rightly rejecting their mistreatment. The appeal to ignorance fallacy is, in many ways, quite similar to the burden of proof. However, it rests on a different, faulty (yet equally cunning) assumption: that a lack of evidence against something automatically makes it true. Or, conversely, that a lack of evidence for something automatically makes it false. In reality, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. When narcissists use this fallacy, they exploit uncertainty by twisting it into certainty. For instance, if someone says, 'You've been acting strangely lately, and I get the feeling that you're hiding something from me.' In turn, a narcissist might respond with, 'If you can't prove I've done anything wrong, then I haven't.' Unlike the burden of proof — which pressures others to produce impossible evidence — the appeal to ignorance shuts down the conversation by pretending that not having definitive proof is the same thing as being exonerated. It reframes ambiguity as innocence, which urges the victim to discount their own judgment. This tactic is especially effective in emotionally complex situations. If intuition, patterns or past behavior may point to wrongdoing, but hard proof is hard to come by, narcissists lean on this fallacy to rewrite the narrative in their favor. The appeal to personal incredulity fallacy serves to dismiss something as false simply because it sounds unbelievable or difficult to understand. This reasoning invalidly relies on gut reactions, rather than any hard facts. Consequently, it allows aggressors to reject evidence of their wrongdoings — purely because they don't like or can't comprehend it. Say, for instance, a narcissist is presented with evidence of their manipulation tactics. In response, they might say something like, 'That's ridiculous! I would never do that.' Here, they reject reality simply because they don't want to acknowledge it. As opposed to taking the time to disprove the claim or apologize, they merely dismiss it outright as being absurd. Narcissists often rely on personal incredulity fallacies, as it allows them to shut down conversations without expending any effort whatsoever. They simply act as though an idea is too far-fetched to even consider, which makes it nearly impossible to challenge. In turn, it's futile for the victim to attempt to discuss their behavior in any meaningful way. And, even if they do, they'll more than likely tire themselves out by over-explaining their concerns. Concerned that you might have narcissistic tendencies? Take this science-backed test to find out if it's cause for concern: Narcissism Scale

Use Your Body-Brain Connection To Boost Your Career
Use Your Body-Brain Connection To Boost Your Career

Forbes

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Forbes

Use Your Body-Brain Connection To Boost Your Career

body brain connection We tend to think of success at work as largely a mental game, not just getting the right education and training and committing to lifelong learning, as this column has written before, but also controlling your mindset, such as by not over-focusing on negative feedback, for example, or viewing your work and life as being on the same team. But your body also plays a role in your career—and not just by showing up for meetings on time, professionally dressed. Learn to listen to your body-brain connection. Your body sends signals to your brain all day long; recognizing and using them can help you be happier and more productive. This is the argument made by Janice Kaplan in her new book, What Your Body Knows about Happiness, which harnesses the now-overwhelming evidence of the body-brain connection that comes from fields including psychology, neuroscience and medicine. Kaplan is a journalist, former editor-in-chief of the Sunday newspaper supplement Parade magazine, and a prolific author. Janice spoke how the research shows that happiness and success are also an outside job, meaning, you can use your body to boost your mood, productivity, stamina, focus, and creativity—the traits you need for a long and rewarding career. ' The body stuff gives you another tool in your tool box. When things are going wrong or you're having a hard time, it's a good idea to try to look for the positive, but sometimes your mind doesn't want to do that. In part, our brains are always scanning our bodies for information. If you're tense at work and trying to tell yourself you're fine, your brain is not buying it. The tool that people aren't aware of is making it work the other way, so that your body is sending the message rather than your brain.' 'When you're going into a difficult situation, you often get anxious. Your muscles get tense, your hands are sweaty, your voice starts trembling. That takes away from the strength of your case. But our brains take cues from our bodies, so if you try to tell yourself, 'I'm calm,' your brain won't believe it. Instead, think about what other emotions fit with that tension in your body, such as excitement and eagerness. You can turn around the symptoms that your body is feeling by saying, 'My body is preparing for a challenge. This is exciting. That's why I'm feeling this.' Then approach the conversation with the same symptoms, but in a positive way.' nervous woman 'You're reframing it, but with the symptoms that you have. People will try to ignore what their body is saying and instead try to talk themselves out of it. They'll say, 'I'm calm. I can handle it.' But if your body isn't feeling that way, you're in a conundrum of disconnection. Instead, recognize the symptoms, and see them in a positive way. That's the difference. When your body is stressed, it means your body is preparing for a challenge and it's positive. The anxiety means you're charged. You're ready. 'Things like asking for a promotion can make people anxious. Instead of thinking you're nervous, you can go in with the attitude of: 'I am so excited to tell you about all the things I have done. I am so excited to tell you about the positive contributions I have made. And I'm eager to do all of this.' It's a different approach than to feel like, 'I am begging someone to give me a promotion.' It's the same sensation of adrenaline and cortisol running high, but it's approaching it differently. 'It works for me. Before I give a speech, I feel a little anxious. I remind myself, 'I'm really excited to share this with people. To tell them what I know and present it to them.' It's a little twist but it's amazing how well it works.' 'If you're really diligent and working hard, you make yourself sit at your desk, hunched over your computer, until you get your work done. You're like, 'I'm not going to get up until I figure this out!' That's the worst thing you can do. There is great research showing that movement inspires creativity more than anything else. A Stanford study found that when people were asked to come up with ideas, they came up with 50% more ideas when they were on a treadmill than when they were sitting. Other studies show an 80 to 100% increase in ideas. This is not new. The poet Wordsworth wrote about how he could only write his poems when he was walking. Henry David Thoreau talked about the motion of his legs inspiring the thoughts in his brain. The fluidity of our bodies contributes to the fluidity of our minds. We forget that because the normal position is hunched over. 'Different people come up with different schedules, but allow yourself to realise that you're not procrastinating or being lazy when you take that walk or going for a run. You are increasing your productivity and creativity. There are little things you can do that I talk about. Stand or sit up straighter, and you feel more positive. Again, the brain is scanning the body. You slouch when you're depressed, and that gives your brain messages of despair. When you're having a hard time, stand up straight, and walk around the room with a straight back. Give a fake smile; the facial feedback hypothesis says that your brain is constantly checking the feedback of your face. ' Recognise and harness the signals your body sends to your brain and use this body-brain connection to improve your performance and boost your career.

The 6-step plan to beat ‘decision paralysis' – plus the 3 reasons you fall victim
The 6-step plan to beat ‘decision paralysis' – plus the 3 reasons you fall victim

The Sun

timea day ago

  • General
  • The Sun

The 6-step plan to beat ‘decision paralysis' – plus the 3 reasons you fall victim

THROUGHOUT our lives, we will face many crossroads – moving home, changing jobs, starting or staying in a relationship – and constant decision-making can be overwhelming. Decision paralysis – AKA finding it so hard to make a choice that we don't do anything – often wins. Other factors, such as anxiety, perfectionism and neurodiversity, can impact our ability to make decisions, too. And for women, deciding what we really want can be even harder. 'Often, we are trying to make other people happy, when it is more important that we make ourselves happy with our decisions,' says chartered psychologist Dr Sheena Kumar. So, what happens in our brains when we're faced with a decision? 'We weigh past experiences, potential outcomes and personal values to arrive at a choice,' says Sheena. But emotions like fear, excitement or uncertainty all have an impact, too. Here, three experts share their six tips for coming to a decision you're happy with. Step One: Pause And Focus First, stop and tune in to what your body is saying. 'When faced with big choices, your nervous system may enter fight, flight or freeze mode, making clear thinking impossible,' explains Sarah Jones, psychotherapist and EMDR therapist. Fight, flight and freeze are evolutionary stress responses to danger – fight prepares you to confront the threat, flight makes you want to escape, and freeze makes you, well, freeze. Do you think you've got ADHD because of TikTok? These are the signs 'When we are in survival mode, our bodies prioritise protecting themselves over problem-solving,' says Sarah. Before analysing your options, take a moment to check in with yourself. 'How does your body feel? Is your chest tight? Is your stomach churning? If so, take slow, deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth, and focus on the sensation of breathing. Repeat to yourself: 'I am safe',' Sarah adds. Calmer? Now you can focus on what's at the heart of your decision. It may sound simple, but Sheena suggests clearly defining the decision, asking: 'What do I need to decide?' Step Two: Free Yourself From People's Opinions Now comes the hard part. 'Ask yourself: 'If no one else's opinion mattered, what would I truly want?'' says Sarah. 'Write down whatever comes up. "Then reflect on whether any of your concerns stem from other people's expectations, rather than your own desires. "Many women have been raised to prioritise others' needs over their own, often without realising it. "Even if you consider yourself independent, societal messaging can still shape your decision-making process.' But that doesn't mean you need to make decisions alone. 'Gather relevant information to understand your options,' says Sheena. For example, try talking to people who have chosen each option, so you can listen to their experiences, then decide for yourself. Step Three: Understand What's Holding You Back Thoughts running on a loop? Writing everything down will help make things feel more manageable, says life coach Kimberley O'Sullivan. She believes the key to good decision-making is identifying ' self-limiting beliefs ' and negative thoughts. You can do this by assigning the word 'fact' or 'fiction' to the thoughts you've written down. 'For example, if you're weighing up a new job offer, 'the salary is £10k more' is fact, whereas: 'I may not fit in with the team' is fiction,' she says. 'Fiction' is often the voice of self-doubt. ' Once you've looked at each limitation and have clarity that what's holding you back is a set of false, limiting beliefs, you are left with facts and data to help make an informed decision.' Step Four Let Go Of Perfection What if limiting beliefs come from a trait or mindset, such as perfectionism? 'Many people believe a decision must be 100% right or else it's a mistake, but this kind of thinking keeps you stuck,' says Sarah. 'Instead of searching for the perfect choice, ask yourself: 'What is a good enough option that moves me forward?' "Also, it's OK to change your mind.' Step Five: Test It Out To put your decision to the test, use the 'future self' visualisation, which involves imagining yourself six months or even a year from now, having made the big decision. 'Picture your day-to-day life,' says Sarah. 'What's changed? How do you feel? "Now, do the same for an alternative decision. "How does that version of your future feel in comparison? "Often, your emotional response will provide valuable insight,' she says. You could even 'try on' your decision mentally for 48 hours. 'Act as if you have already chosen a path,' she says. "If you're debating moving abroad, tell yourself: 'I'm moving abroad', and notice how you feel. 'Does this bring a sense of excitement, relief or peace? "Or does it trigger anxiety and resistance? "Your emotions can offer more clarity than over-analysing ever will,' she says. Step Six: Move things on Once you've decided, let go of the idea of possibly taking the 'wrong' path. 'Make your decision with confidence, take action and reflect on the outcome to improve future decision-making,' says Sheena. 4 'Making any decision is better than staying indecisive. "Remember, you can always reflect and choose differently next time.' Sarah, too, believes that making a bad decision is still better than not making one at all. 'It's important to make a decision and then learn from it, rather than stay in paralysis and let opportunity pass you by, or change your mind if it is not working out,' she says. 'Often, there is no such thing as the 'right' decision – just ones we are happy with in hindsight.' And if you're still feeling worried? Remember that not all decisions are final. When it comes to big decisions over something like a new job, partner or moving to a new location, Kimberley says: 'You can always try something new. "Setbacks and adjustments are all a part of life – you just need to believe you can navigate and pivot your way through anything you experience.' Why Do I Agonise Over it? If you constantly struggle to make choices, it might be a sign that. . . You Grew Up In A Critical Home If mistakes weren't tolerated in your childhood, you may struggle to trust your own judgement as an adult. Instead of seeing decisions as opportunities, they can feel like tests you must pass. You're Seeking Approval If you're constantly weighing up how others will react, or you want to please people, you may struggle to prioritise your own needs. Conditions such as ADHD and autism can make decision-making harder, due to executive-function challenges, sensory overwhelm and difficulty filtering options. The brain can freeze when faced with too much information.

Fiction: ‘Parallel Lines' by Edward St. Aubyn
Fiction: ‘Parallel Lines' by Edward St. Aubyn

Wall Street Journal

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Wall Street Journal

Fiction: ‘Parallel Lines' by Edward St. Aubyn

Edward St. Aubyn's five-book cycle, the Patrick Melrose novels, published between 1992 and 2011 and now widely recognized as a classic of British literature, covers a lot of territory in the chronicle of its magnetically messed-up hero. Childhood trauma, addiction, euthanasia and the concealed cruelties of the English aristocracy count among its darkest preoccupations. Mr. St. Aubyn is equally obsessed with psychoanalysis and ethical philosophy, inheritance and spirituality, and the torment of trying to distill such mysteries into meaningful language. The novels veer breathtakingly from gonzo druggie farce to exquisite manor-house satire to earnest talking-cure confessionals, relying on the diamantine luster of the prose to hold them all together. You should read them, is what I'm saying. Less obviously, the books are also instances of what the critic Marco Roth has labeled 'neuronovels': fiction interested in the brain's relation to behavior and personality. 'Never Mind' (1992), the first book in the series, turns on the first time that Patrick, at 5 years old, is sexually abused by his sadistic father. During the violation he feels himself 'split in half,' so that part of his consciousness is stuck in the moment of violence and part seems to have escaped his body to seek distraction in anything else. The mental rupture defines his coming of age. In an indelible scene from his drug-addled 20s in 'Bad News' (1992), Patrick has a full-fledged schizophrenic episode when his brain is colonized by a 'bacteria of voices.' The depictions of his fragmentation, and his long, arduous struggle toward unity, are so precise and vivid that they could serve as neuropsychology case studies. The brain and its role as the seat of consciousness continue as fixations in the fitfully successful novels Mr. St. Aubyn has published outside the Melrose series, the best of which are 'Double Blind' (2021) and its sequel, 'Parallel Lives.' Science is confronted far more technically in these pendant works, whose decentralized cast, spread mostly between Britain and the U.S., allows the omnivorous author to indulge in an exploratory sprawl of ideas. Among the characters established in 'Double Blind' is the billionaire venture capitalist Hunter Sterling, who has begun investing in futuristic biotech innovations such as 'Happy Helmets,' which reproduce in their wearers' brains the neurological states of, for instance, business leaders or religious gurus. Yet that very cerebral plasticity is a source of crisis for Hunter's love interest, Lucy, who in her 30s is diagnosed with a brain tumor and ushered into a life of cancer treatments.

5 Signs You Feel Truly Safe In Your Relationship, By A Psychologist
5 Signs You Feel Truly Safe In Your Relationship, By A Psychologist

Forbes

time2 days ago

  • General
  • Forbes

5 Signs You Feel Truly Safe In Your Relationship, By A Psychologist

When most people evaluate their relationships, they focus on love, loyalty, chemistry or compatibility. While these are all important, they don't guarantee emotional well-being. What truly makes a relationship sustainable and nourishing — whether it's romantic, familial or just a meaningful friendship — is psychological safety. Psychological safety means you feel safe to be fully yourself. Unfiltered, messy, vulnerable, always changing, all without fear of being shamed, belittled or emotionally punished. It's a deep sense of trust that you can express your truth and still be held with respect. But how would you know if your relationship is psychologically safe? Here are five signs to look for, and ways to cultivate more of it in your life. In psychologically unsafe relationships, saying 'no' often comes at a cost. For example, saying no may be met with guilt trips, emotional withdrawal or a lingering sense of tension in the air. Over time, this teaches you to say 'yes' just to avoid conflict, even when it means ignoring your own needs. In contrast, psychologically safe relationships respect your 'no' as an essential part of who you are. It's not taken personally, nor is it seen as a rejection. Whether you're declining an invitation, asking for space or expressing disagreement, your partner holds space for it. They don't need you to mirror them in order to feel secure. This balance between a connection and independence is highlighted in a 2019 study that explored two foundational psychological needs in relationships: relatedness (feeling emotionally close to others) and autonomy (feeling free to act in alignment with your own values). The study found that people were more likely to respond constructively during conflict (a behavior known as accommodation) when they felt not only close to their partner, but also free to be themselves — independent and self-directed. In other words, healthy closeness doesn't require losing yourself. In fact, relationships where both people feel safe to say 'no' tend to be more resilient. They can tolerate difference without turning it into distance. So, what can you do when faced with this dynamic? Begin with small, honest assertions. Try saying, 'I won't be joining this weekend,' or 'That doesn't feel right to me' — without sugarcoating it with apologies. Then observe if the other person stays emotionally present and responsive. If so, you're likely in a space where both your need for connection and need for autonomy is being respected. One of the most telling signs of a lack of psychological safety in a relationship is a constant, nagging tension. It's that feeling that you have to watch your words, manage your tone or suppress your feelings to avoid setting the other person off. This emotional tiptoeing may not always involve loud conflict, but it breeds a quieter kind of distress which manifests as a chronic state of self-monitoring. Over time, you may begin to withhold joy, hide disappointment and shrink parts of yourself to avoid emotional backlash. A 2012 study published in The American Journal of Family Therapy, examining the relationship between PTSD symptoms, perceived emotional safety and relationship health found that feeling safe in a relationship fully mediated the impact of trauma symptoms on how well the relationship functioned. In other words, even when someone carries deep relationship wounds, what most determines the health of their relationship isn't the trauma itself but it's how safe they feel with their partner. Emotional safety, then, isn't a relationship accessory; it's really the foundation of a relationship. When a relationship offers consistent empathy and non-defensiveness, it allows both partners to lower their guard. They don't have to 'perform' emotional control. They can be real, even when that means being confused, vulnerable or not at their best. In safe relationships, there's room for full expression. You can have a bad day. You can bring up hard topics. You can even disagree without losing closeness. And if it's ever difficult to establish emotional safety, try this: Notice the next time you hesitate before sharing something good or bad. Ask yourself, 'Am I afraid of how they'll react?' Choose one thing you've been holding back. Could be an opinion, a request, a silly story, anything. Then share it gently but directly. Then observe: do they lean in, shut down, deflect or become defensive? Their reaction reveals how safe the space between you really is. More than conflict itself, it's often a lack of resolution that harms relationships. In psychologically unsafe dynamics, disagreements quickly spiral into blame or withdrawal. But in safe relationships, conflict doesn't mark the end of connection. It's simply seen as what it's meant to be — a moment to pause and look into ways of repair. A 2015 study by John Gottman and colleagues found that the most effective conflict repairs are emotional, not logical. They happen early, often within the first few minutes, and aim to shift the emotional climate through warmth, empathy, humor or vulnerability. These small cues say, 'We're still okay, even if we disagree.' When repair becomes part of the relationship culture, missteps feel less threatening. Partners don't fear conflict or tiptoe around hard feelings. Instead, they return to each other with care and curiosity, even if that return begins with an argument. The core idea is that you don't wait until emotions boil over. Reconnect early. Try saying, 'I've been thinking about what happened earlier, can we talk?' or 'I care more about us than about being right.' Early repair softens tension and steers the conversation away from escalation. Based on Gottman's research, repair doesn't have to be complicated. It just needs to be timely, genuine and emotionally aligned. Here are six tools to help achieve this: Remember, the goal isn't to avoid conflict. It's to make space for it and meet it with compassion. One of the hallmarks of relationship safety is that you feel expanded. You speak more freely, laugh louder and bring your full, layered self into the room. There's room for your contradictions: the thoughtful and the silly, the confident and the unsure. You're not filtering yourself to fit into a version you think will be more palatable. You're simply you, and that feels easy. Research on relational self-change supports this experience. It shows that in close relationships, our self-concept can shift in meaningful ways. People in supportive relationships often experience self-expansion (gaining positive traits) and self-pruning (letting go of negative ones). These changes are linked to greater satisfaction, more empathy and a stronger capacity for forgiveness. In short, the right relationship helps you grow into a better version of yourself. Unsafe relationships, on the other hand, lead to self-contraction where you shrink, suppress your voice or mold yourself to avoid tension. Over time, this chips away at your confidence and desire to stay in the relationship. So, try this check-in: After spending time with someone, ask yourself: 'Do I feel more like myself — or less?' If you feel clearer, lighter and more at ease, chances are you're in a relationship that supports your evolution rather than stifles it. Healthy relationships don't require performance. They welcome your becoming. As humans, we're not meant to stay the same. As we grow, our preferences, boundaries and beliefs will most definitely shift. Psychologically safe relationships allow space for that evolution without any guilt or resistance. A 2020 study published in Personal Relationships found that people who adapt their thoughts and behaviors in response to life changes experience greater well-being and relationship quality. Their openness also benefits their partners, deepening mutual connection and resilience. In unsafe dynamics, however, change is seen as a threat. You may be stuck in rigid roles like always being agreeable or emotionally available. Any attempt to redefine yourself is treated as confusing or disloyal. Your growth becomes a problem to solve, not a transformation to support. But safe relationships welcome your evolution. You're allowed to be dynamic. You're encouraged to set boundaries that reflect who you're becoming. So, whenever you notice yourself changing, name it. Point it out by saying, 'I know I used to be okay with this, but I've realized I'm not anymore.' Watch for whether you're met with curiosity or criticism. The answer speaks volumes about your relational safety. Do you also experience psychological safety outside of your relationship? Take the science-backed Psychological Safety Scale to find out.

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