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Five tips for navigating gaslighters at your family holiday gathering

Crystal Graham
holiday party
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By being prepared, you can still have a delightful holiday, even when your difficult uncle who always puts you down, challenges your memories, and is always comparing you to others starts to get a little too pushy.

According to author and transformation coach with more than 20 years of experience, Christina E. Foxwell, the gaslighter’s power is taken away when you remember your own strength.

“You might be struggling and not trusting your own judgement, you are afraid to speak up,” said Foxwell. “You feel like there is something wrong with you, you are always saying ‘sorry,’ you feel psychologically powerless. Well, we can help you through this holiday.”

Five tips for navigating a gaslighter at your family gathering – and how to stop it:

  1. Go prepared
  2. Set boundaries
  3. Step away
  4. Focus on the truth
  5. Take time to journal

Foxwell is the founder of Ignite Purpose where, over the past decade, she has supported leaders in their navigation of their teams and helped people find their purpose and flow.

She is the author of four books. Her latest book, The Glass Angel, is a powerful look into transformation change and perseverance.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.