While almost everyone hates being single and wants to be in a relationship, honestly sometimes it’s better to be single. With all the horrible things a partner could do to hurt your feelings, why would anyone want to be in a relationship? 

One of the worst things a partner could ever do is manipulate you. It is the worst because when you trust someone and they see your trust as a weakness and use it to manipulate you, it is officially the worst things a person could do. Most of the time you don’t even realise that you’re being manipulated. 

Here are some of the signs to look out for:

1. They constantly cross boundaries

Normally when you set a boundary in a relationship, your partner would either accept it and live with it or not accept it and leave. That is healthy. 

But if they just ignore your boundaries and cross them all the time. You also feel pressurized or almost forced to do things that you’re uncomfortable doing despite already telling them about it. 

2. They guilt trip you with dramatic statements

If you hear them say “I thought you will be the only who would understand” or “ I thought I could depend on you” or “I really thought you were the only one who would help me”. 

That is the reddest and hugest red flag. Some of them even add in some tears. They are just trying to make you feel guilty for not agreeing to do something, thinking that it will convince you to actually do it. Most of the time, it works but you’re unhappy and uncomfortable and that is not great. 

3. Anything they say that hurts you is always “just a joke”

Whenever they say something mean or hurtful and you bring it up, they say “ I was just joking, why are you taking things so seriously?” You’re always the sensitive one and they are always the jokester. 

Another way they use this technique is when you are in public with others, and you always end up being the butt of their joke. The humiliate you in front of others and then, say it was just a joke. If you are experiencing this, honey, I’m holding the door open for you, leave now. 

4. They are conveniently sick every time things get serious

Whenever things don’t go their way, or you don’t do something they want, they always fall sick or are in desperate need to attention. 

One simple example is that you want to have a serious conversation about hem being manipulative, suddenly, they are sick and need you are forced to push the whole conversation aside and take care of them. 

5. They always need you to prove that you love them

If they always use the phrase “If you really love me, you will do …” It could be something simple like washing the dishes to show that you love them or sometimes, it would be something serious like having sex with them even if you’re not in the mood. 

What you think is an innocent way for them to be extra “manja” is actually a form of manipulation that makes you feel like you have to do something even if you don’t want it.