In my meditation this morning, I had a conversation with myself about fear. I don’t often let the sensation of fear linger in my body, but there was something different today. This morning, it was a space I wanted to explore. And I’m not talking about the fear of launching something or the fear of putting your work out into the world. The fear I’m thinking of is the kind that can be like a little tap-tap-tapping on your heart in tense situations. That tap-tapping? It’s your intuition. And your intuition is your superpower, especially when it comes to keeping you safe in sticky circumstances.

Our intuition is a gift that not only guides our life decisions, but it also tells us when we’re in a dangerous situation, and helps us get out of it.

Many of us tune out this fear or intuition out because we don’t want to seem like we’re overreacting.

Have you ever had a time when you felt uncomfortable, even if you couldn’t explain it? Here are some signals that you might have encountered that told you to be wary of someone.

Six Warning Signs of Someone Taking Advantage of You:

• Forced Teaming: They will make you a “we” sooner than you feel comfortable with.
• Charm: A lot of manipulative men are charming.
• Oversharing: Sharing too many details about why they are approaching you.
• Typecasting: They will say something like “You’re too dependent” or something that makes you want to prove them wrong and talk to them further.
• Loan Sharking: They’ll give you something or buy you a drink, and then they’ll expect something in return.
• Rejecting Boundaries: No is a complete sentence. When someone doesn’t take your “no” at face value, they’re trying to control your decision.

Aside from these six signals, there is that KNOWING in us that tells us that we’re in danger. We often turn it off, because we don’t want to be perceived as overreacting, but we need to listen to that inner voice.

There is a POWER in listening when we feel uncomfortable. There is a POWER in recognizing the signs of abuse. If you have not experienced a controlling boyfriend, sexual abuse, or felt wary around someone, then somebody close to you has.

Even if this episode only helps ONE woman, then there is one less woman experiencing constant fear in the world. There is freedom to have and we all deserve it.

I’m OVER it. And you should be too. We need to wake up. We need to stop living in denial. It’s time to stand up for yourself and for the women around you who are suffering or even just uncomfortable.

Will you join me to defend our rights as women to feel safety and freedom? Check out my resources below for more information.

Click here for all the ways to listen to the podcast.

Check It Out!  

• Resources by State for Violence Against Women
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
• The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker
• I May Destroy You by Michaela Coel
• Why Morocco Triggered Me (IGTV Video)
• I Had to Block This Person. Here’s Why… (IGTV Video)