How to Stop Controlling People from Running Your Life

Breaking Free From Manipulation, Guilt Trips, and Emotional Blackmail

Controlling people have been telling me what to do for my whole life: what to do, what not to do, what to think, what not to think, who to be, who not to be…

There is an unhealed part of me that is still very much attracted to controlling people because in a sense… it’s all that I know.

When it comes to breaking free from a controlling dynamic, it matters whether this is your first time in such a situation.

If you grew up around people who feel entitled to run your life… then you likely have a bigger problem than just one controlling relationship. I developed a whole identity in response to growing up in an oppressive environment. I call him The Chauffeur.

The Chauffeur likes being told what to do. He is used to having people lay down the law.

I think it’s most fascinating that I am, on some level, attracted to controlling people precisely BECAUSE they are controlling.

This idea may be challenging for you to wrap your mind around and accept. Hear me out…

My father was extremely controlling.…