Gaslight vs Disagreement

“Gaslighting” gets thrown around a lot these days to the point where it's starting to lose its meaning.

Here's what I want to remind you: we all mess up in conflict sometimes. We all say things we don't mean, get defensive, or shut down. That's being human. Gaslighting is a pattern. It is very intentional, it's repeated, it's about control, and it systematically makes someone doubt their reality.

Healthy conflict is uncomfortable, sometimes heated, sometimes messy. But you don't leave it feeling crazy. You don't question whether you're "too much" or if your feelings even matter. You both get to be real.

This post is about understanding the difference so you can recognize what's happening and make informed choices about how to move forward, whether that's setting boundaries, seeking support, changing your own patterns, or all of the above.