Some people have self-awareness, but it’s limited—they recognize they may have hurt or annoyed you, but they lack the deeper insight to understand how or why. They can sense when your energy shifts, when you start distancing yourself, and when something is off. But when confronted, they often respond with gaslighting—minimizing your feelings, making you question your own emotions, or shifting the blame.

They might say things like, “Oh, I was just joking,” or, “You take things too seriously.” If you express frustration, they play the martyr, insisting, “I guess I’m just too forgiving,” subtly making it seem like you are the problem for holding them accountable. This calculated deflection keeps you trapped in self-doubt, leaving you wondering if you were wrong for feeling hurt in the first place.

Even when they apologize, their actions remain the same. Some will say, “I’m sorry if I hurt you,” but continue the very behavior that hurt you. A true apology isn’t just words—it’s changed behavior.

“A shrewd person sees danger and conceals himself, but the inexperienced keep right on going and suffer the consequences.” This reminds us that protecting our peace sometimes means stepping away from those who refuse to acknowledge their harmful behaviors.

How to Handle Limited Self-Awareness

✅ Don’t engage in emotional tug-of-war. If someone constantly makes you feel guilty for holding them accountable, recognize it for what it is—manipulation.

✅ Apply Law 13 of the 48 Laws of Power: Appeal to people’s self-interest. Instead of expecting them to understand your feelings, sometimes it’s better to explain how respecting your boundaries benefits both of you.

Sometimes, it’s not even worth discussing how they hurt you because, by the end of the conversation, you’ll be the one left feeling like you did something wrong. Protect your energy. Let go of expectations for them to suddenly change.

Some friendships and relationships have expiration dates, but you can still be cordial when you see each other. It doesn’t mean you have to continue hanging out or put yourself in situations where they repeatedly hurt you. Knowing when to walk away is a form of loving self-care. You deserve love🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷