Getting clear on your core values prevents manipulation
One of the most valuable things I learned in therapy is how to define my own core values and principles. Get very clear on what drives you, and what you believe in as a set of principles, not ideology, and then use that as your guide to navigate the world.
Every ideology, even the good ones, can lead you astray or make you betray yourself. Clearly defining and navigating by those values makes it so much harder to get trapped in ideology or swept off with the herd. Or for abusers or manipulators to muddle your mind.
- see also: don’t pledge allegiance to any one ideology
- related: how to detect manipulation, because feeling muddled or disoriented can be a clue that something’s not right