This is a real one here. Sometimes you do have to “check” a person. When it feels like someone’s playing with your intelligence—whether they’re gaslighting you, underestimating you, or being manipulative—it can spark frustration, anger, or even self-doubt. Here’s how you can handle it with clarity and power:

1. Stay cool, not cold.

Keep your composure. When you respond emotionally, it gives them control. When you stay calm, you stay in command.

2. Trust your gut.

If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t let someone else’s version of reality override what you know to be true.

3. Ask direct questions.

Sometimes, calling it out with precision can shake the game. Something like, “Help me understand how you came to that conclusion,” or “Are you saying I’m misunderstanding, or are you choosing not to be direct?” sets a boundary without starting a war.

4. Document and distance.

Keep receipts—notes, texts, anything. And if it becomes a pattern? You’re not wrong for stepping back from the situation or the person.

5. Protect your peace.

You don’t need to prove your intelligence to anyone playing mind games. Your energy is better spent building, growing, and thriving in spaces where you’re respected.