So why is it so hard to end a relationship when you know you’re being manipulated? Here is one answer or way of looking at it. Maybe it’s because you fear losing the real or perceived benefits you are receiving in the relationship. Ask yourself what it will coast you to walk away. Even unhealthy relationships can provide a sense of feeling loved, significant, and secure. A desperate fear of rejection often paralyzes a person who is trying to make healthy relationships . The belief is of that ” any relationship is better than no relationship.”

When you decide not to be dependent on the person who is the manipulator don’t expect the manipulator to understand or agree with your decisions. Don’t expect them to acknowledge that they have manipulated you and the relationship. Don’t expect them to acknowledge being manipulative and don’t expect them to be willing to stop controlling you and to set you free. However with all that being said, you can prepare yourself by accepting the fact that change is painful, but in time, peace will reign in your heart and may also reign in your relationship. Accept the fact that manipulators resist change and accept the fact that if you don’t change, you will stay in pain and peace will elude you. You will have no peace, no quietness, no rest, but only turmoil.

Ask yourself how are you being manipulated if you can’t see your blind spots ask a trusted friend to help you to see the relationship more clearly and ask them to help you to develop a plan of action. You may want to seek professional help for added support. You can never have to many cheerleaders when you decide to tell the person who is manipulating you about the changes you are going to make. It’s not always easy changing an unhealthy relationship into a healthy one. You may find yourself stating that you’ve been wrong in the way you’ve related to them and at times you’ve not spoken up because you’ve been too fearful. You might even find yourself trying to explain to them that is not been healthy for either of you. Remember you’re not responsible for how they react sometimes manipulators are masters at making others feel a lot of false guilt.

You can go on to say to them that you really care about them and that you are committed to change and how you ultimately want to have a much healthier relationship. Or, if it is not appropriate to continue in a relationship at all . . . then you state your resolve by saying ” I cannot continue in a relationship with you and be the person I need to be for my children or for myself.” Don’t defend yourself although you will be accused of not being loving and caring . . .  you may choose to be silent, but don’t use silence as a weapon. Or, you may choose to state the truth once or repeat it several times. “I’m so sorry you feel that way . . .  what you’ve said is not true, it does not reflect my heart.” Or you might feel comfortable saying, “I understand that you think I am being heartless, but my goal is to become healthy.” Don’t allow yourself to become confused if they resort to using other methods to control you and remember that  they need to know that you are aware of the new methods they are trying to use and eventually they will start to realize  that those tactics wouldn’t work either. ” Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words, are perverse.”