Top 10 Signs That Someone Is Controlling Your Life

There are many reasons people experience challenges and difficulties in life. The most common cause is someone close to you, such as a spouse or partner, is using their influence to control your life. In order to break the cycle of control, this article will discuss 10 signs that someone might be controlling your life. Knowing what to look for may help end the cycle and improve your mental health and relationships in the future.

10 Signs Someone Might Be Controlling Your Life:

1) When they tell you what time you should wake up on weekends

When someone tells you when exactly that you have to wake up during the weekend it can make it difficult for people with different sleep schedules or college schedules. It is important to listen to what your doctor or sleep therapist has told you, but at the end of the day, if you do not enjoy waking up at 7:45 when they tell you that you have to wake up then it is your choice to make.

2) When they monitor every little thing

It is normal for a partner or parents to want to know what their significant other or children are doing, but if this goes too far, it can be controlling. Control freaks and abusers will monitor avidly what their partner is doing each and every day. Not only does this take time away from family members, it also takes away from them. The control freak will constantly have a negative attitude towards the person receiving their criticism and will use this negativity to force them to change.

3) When they do not allow you to see friends or family

You should not have your life dictated by someone else who wants you to see only their friends and family, but see no one else. If you are in a relationship, it is good to meet the significant other’s friends and family in order to get an idea of what type of person they are. If you feel that your significant other is not allowing you to see friends or family as a way to control your life, it is time to reevaluate your relationship.

4) When they try to force you out of hobbies

You should never have your hobbies and interests dictated by someone else. If you are into something, even if it is not the same thing the person who wants to control you likes, then do not let them tell you otherwise. It is important for people of all ages and genders to spend time doing something they love in order to avoid any type of depression that might come from a lack of hobbies. Hobbyists are less likely to suffer from anxiety or depression because they are having fun and doing what they enjoy.

5) When they are constantly negative

Negativity is a common trait in people who control other people. If someone always leaves you feeling down and negative about yourself, it is time to reevaluate the relationship. The person who wants to control you will be extremely negative towards your character, appearance, work ethic and personality.

They will focus on the worst parts of your character and spend very little time focusing on the good things about you. It is important to remember that no one’s life is perfect, especially when this negativity comes from someone who does not have as much information about your life as you do.

6) When they do not listen to you

No one likes to feel that someone is not listening to them, but as a part of a relationship it is important for both people to listen and respect each other. If someone always dismisses what you have to say and only wants you to listen, it might be time to reevaluate the relationship.

People who have been in abusive relationships will often say that their partner did not give them the “time of day” because they were never given the opportunity to speak. An unhealthy relationship will often use power, fear and manipulation to silence the other partner.

7) When they do not appreciate what you do

You should never have your accomplishments and hard work be underappreciated by anyone. If you are always told what you do is not good enough, it is time to reevaluate the relationship. The reason for this lack of appreciation might be that someone wants to control your life. Abusers will often make their significant other feel unappreciated because one part of a cycle of abuse is criticism. You should never be made to feel unworthy or that people do not see the good in you.

8) When they criticize or put you down

The act of criticizing another person is incredibly hurtful, especially if this occurs often. If your significant other or parents constantly belittle what you are doing, it may be a sign that they do not value you as a person. It is important to know when someone is speaking negatively about your accomplishments and hard work in order to realize what is happening.

If someone makes comments like, “It looks like you never learned how to use a staple gun” or “We hardly ever see your friends,” it might be time to reevaluate the relationship.

9) When they take advantage of you

If your significant other takes advantage of you in any way, it is time to reevaluate the relationship. The person who wants to control you may do so by promising a lot of things, but not actually providing them or following through.

If someone makes you feel as if there is no reason to leave the relationship for them and that staying would be stupid and a waste of time, it is important to remember that just because someone does not follow through with what they promise it does not mean that they never intended to follow through. If a partner promises something but then stops following up with those promises, this could be the actions of an abuser.

10) When they are mentally abusive

Mentally abusive relationships are common in unhealthy relationships. The person who wants to control you may try to make you feel as if you are the problem and that it is impossible to live without them. This type of relationship will focus on the partner’s strengths while making you feel weaker than they are. It is important to remember that no one deserves to be put down so severely, especially because of their religion, race, appearance or gender role.

In Conclusion

The person who wants to control you will have many ways of doing so. One common way is by telling you what to do, when to do it and how they want it done. They may also belittle your accomplishments, hobbies and personality.

The person who wants to control you will also be a huge downer in the relationship and never show your hard work any appreciation.

If someone takes away your freedom and never listens to what you have to say, it shows that they do not value you as a human being. Healthy relationships are worth fighting for because they are built on the basis of good communication and mutual support.