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Everyone will likely encounter at least one manipulative person in their life. Unfortunately, there are simply too many manipulators in the world to prevent that. But, there are a few ways that you can prevent them from manipulating you.

Manipulators are people who are hell-bent on having things the way they want them, and they will go to great lengths to get what they want. Dealing with one is not only a pain, but it can also be quite damaging. Thankfully, you don’t have to be manipulated. The good news is, once you recognize what is happening, you can disarm the manipulator in their tracks.

Here are 6 ways to prevent others from manipulating you.

1. Recognize how you feel.

The moment you get a gut feeling about this manipulative person, listen to it. Allow yourself to recognize the discomfort and pay attention to it. More often than not, when someone is trying to manipulate you into doing something that goes against your boundaries, it’s going to make you uncomfortable. Recognizing your feelings about this is the first step.

2. Hear them out.

Before you jump to conclusions, though, hear them out. Let them explain their story, or situation, and wait for them to finish before deciding how to proceed.

3. Ask clarifying questions.

More often than not, manipulative people are very attention-demanding. They need to have control over the situation, as it gives them the upper hand. However, when you ask questions back, it puts the ball back into your court.

4. Say no.

If no is what your heart is telling you, don’t be afraid to say it. If you don’t typically say no, it can be hard to do this at first. But, I promise you, after you practice it a few times it will be easy.

5. Take your time.

And don’t feel pressured to answer right then. If it’s a big question, and they are catching you off guard, they can wait. If they can’t then just tell them no.

6. Stand firm on your boundaries.

Once you’ve made your decision, and said your peace, stand by it. You’ve set a boundary, don’t be ashamed of that. If they continue to push, distance yourself from them.