Gaslighting has become one of those words that gets thrown around constantly — and honestly, I think it’s gotten ridiculous.

In this episode, I break down what I was told gaslighting actually means, why people take it way too seriously, and how teasing, joking, and normal human interaction keep getting mislabeled as abuse. I talk about intent vs. impact, why words aren’t the same as violence, and why learning to regulate how much you let things affect you matters more than inventing new labels.

This isn’t about denying that words can hurt — it’s about recognizing when people are choosing to be offended instead of choosing resilience. If everything is abuse, then nothing means anything anymore.

Sometimes it’s not trauma.
Sometimes it’s just teasing.
And sometimes, people need to toughen up a little.

Highlights

• What “gaslighting” supposedly means — and why it’s overused

• Teasing vs. actual manipulation

• Why intent matters more than labels

• Words, offense, and personal responsibility

• Why filtering every sentence is exhausting and pointless

• Toughness, resilience, and choosing what affects you