3 (More) Toxic Phrases That Society Disguises as Compliments

We’ve likely asked ourselves these questions before. But if we have to ask — deep down — we probably already know the answer. It sucks when we’re blindsided by a comment, especially when we sense that the speaker is trying to pass it off as a compliment. Your stomach drops. You’re alerted by a gentle tug from your inner consciousness that something nefarious may be at play. And if you didn’t know any better, you’d think that this person may be trying to get over on you. Maybe even control you. Finally, confusion gives way to clarity, and then it hits you: It doesn’t feel like a compliment…because it isn’t. Last month, I wrote 3 Toxic Phrases That Society Disguises as Compliments: <h2><a href="https://medium.com/invisible-illness/3-toxic-phrases-that-society-disguises-as-compliments-8fa3553c751a?source=post_page-----68f5576b5892--------------------------------" rel="noopener follow" target="_blank">3 Toxic Phrases That Society Disguises as Compliments</a></h2> <h3><a href="https://medium.com/invisible-illness/3-toxic-phrases-that-society-disguises-as-compliments-8fa3553c751a?source=post_page-----68f5576b5892--------------------------------" rel="noopener follow" target="_blank">When the ‘disease to please’ earns us praise, what hope do we have to reverse course and actually heal?</a></h3> <a href="https://medium.com/invisible-illness/3-toxic-phrases-that-society-disguises-as-compliments-8fa3553c751a?source=post_page-----68f5576b5892--------------------------------" rel="noopener follow" target="_blank">medium.com</a> And guess what I discovered? It only scratched the surface. Frankly, I don’t know what took me so long to explore this topic, especially because this nonsense has become commonplace. The problem is that the emphasis society places on maintaining social etiquette often takes precedence over the protection of one’s boundaries. We’re taught to ignore what doesn’t feel right, be nice, and turn the other cheek — even when our skin is crawling from the discomfort of having to remain silent. And that’s precisely how toxic folk get over. <a href="https://medium.com/invisible-illness/3-more-toxic-phrases-that-society-disguises-as-compliments-68f5576b5892">Learn More</a>