Signs She's Running Game on You

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In modern dating, it can be difficult to navigate relationships when someone is not being completely honest or transparent. Often, one party may start playing "games" with the other—manipulating emotions, controlling the relationship dynamic, and keeping things unclear for their own benefit. This is commonly referred to as someone "running game" on you.

When you're genuinely interested in someone, it's easy to get caught up in their charm and attention, but it's also crucial to recognize when that person is simply toying with your emotions. Understanding the signs that she's running game on you can help you avoid unnecessary heartache and emotional turmoil. This article will delve into the common signs that a woman might be manipulating you emotionally and playing games in the relationship, as well as how to handle the situation if you recognize these behaviors.

Signs She's Running Game on You

She Keeps You at a Distance Emotionally

One of the most prominent signs that a woman is running game on you is if she keeps you emotionally distant. She may act affectionate at times, but when it comes to deepening the relationship, she’s reluctant to open up. Emotional distance is often used as a tactic to prevent you from getting too close and, in turn, controlling how much you care or invest in her.

• Superficial conversations: When you attempt to have deeper or more meaningful conversations, she steers the conversation away. She keeps everything light and trivial, never giving you a chance to truly understand her or form a strong connection.

• Avoiding vulnerability: She never opens up about her true feelings, personal experiences, or anything that would allow you to get to know her better. This keeps the relationship stagnant and stops it from progressing.

• Constantly guarded: Whenever you try to get emotionally closer, she pulls back, telling you that she doesn’t want to talk about certain topics, or she becomes defensive. This emotional wall keeps her from fully engaging in a real relationship, ensuring she remains in control.

This emotional distance can be confusing for you, especially if her behavior alternates between being warm and distant, making it hard to gauge where you stand.

She Sends Mixed Signals

A classic tactic used by someone running game on you is sending mixed signals. By giving you inconsistent and contradictory behavior, she creates a sense of confusion that keeps you hooked. Mixed signals are designed to make you question her feelings and, by doing so, put you in a position where you're constantly trying to figure her out.

• Hot and cold behavior: One minute she’s incredibly affectionate, texting you constantly, and showing interest in spending time with you. The next minute, she goes quiet and acts distant, leaving you wondering what went wrong.

• Flirtation with no intention: She may flirt with you to keep you interested, but when you attempt to escalate the relationship or ask her to define things, she backs off and leaves you hanging.

• No clear intentions: When asked about the future or what the two of you are, she avoids the question. She’ll give vague answers or say that she doesn’t want to rush things, leaving you uncertain of where things stand.

This lack of clarity often means she’s using your feelings as leverage, keeping you invested while not giving you anything concrete in return.

She Makes You Work Too Hard for Her Attention

A woman running game on you will often make you feel like you have to work extra hard to get her attention and approval. She will not reciprocate easily, leading you to put in all the effort to maintain the relationship. This one-sided effort often leaves you emotionally drained and questioning your self-worth.

• Delayed responses: You send her a text or message, and she takes hours or even days to reply. When she does respond, it’s short or nonchalant, as if she’s just keeping you on the line but not making a genuine effort to engage with you.

• She only reaches out when convenient: When she needs something—whether it’s emotional support or company—she will reach out to you. But when the tables are turned and you need her, she’s nowhere to be found. Her lack of initiative in maintaining the relationship speaks volumes about her level of interest.

• You’re always initiating: If you’re always the one planning dates, calling, or texting first, and she doesn’t put in the same effort, it’s a strong indication that she’s not as invested in the relationship as you are.

These behaviors are designed to make you feel like you’re lucky to have her attention, keeping you dependent on her validation.

She Plays the Victim

Playing the victim is a manipulation tactic that some women use to get sympathy and keep the focus on themselves. A woman running game on you will often talk about how hard her life is, how people have wronged her, and how she's been hurt in the past. She wants to elicit your empathy and use it to her advantage.

• Constantly complaining: She’s always talking about how terrible her life has been—whether it’s about her family, her past relationships, or her struggles. She may exaggerate her woes to gain sympathy and make you feel like you need to "rescue" her.

• Guilt-tripping: She may use her difficult past or emotional turmoil as an excuse for her behavior. For instance, she may say she can’t commit because of past hurt or that she has emotional baggage. The aim here is to make you feel bad for asking for more commitment or transparency.

• Exploiting your empathy: She plays on your kind nature and your desire to make things better for her. This emotional manipulation keeps you tethered to her while she remains emotionally unavailable, using her past as a shield.

By constantly playing the victim, she keeps you emotionally invested without ever having to reciprocate or make any significant efforts in the relationship.

She Disrespects Your Boundaries

Respecting boundaries is a fundamental aspect of any healthy relationship. However, someone who is running game on you will often disregard your boundaries to test how much you will tolerate. This lack of respect for your personal limits is a form of control, making you feel obligated to bend or break your own rules for her comfort.

• Ignoring your needs: When you express a need or concern—whether it’s emotional, physical, or something more specific—she either ignores it or acts like it’s not a big deal. This makes you feel as though your needs aren’t valid, pushing you to suppress your own desires in favor of hers.

• Pushing boundaries: Even when you set clear limits, she keeps testing them. This could be through pressuring you into things you're not comfortable with, whether it’s in terms of intimacy, time commitments, or emotional vulnerability.

• Gaslighting: She may try to manipulate the situation by making you feel like you're overreacting or being unreasonable when you try to assert your boundaries. This psychological manipulation can be very damaging.

Disrespecting your boundaries is a clear sign that she’s not invested in you as a person, but rather is using you to meet her own needs and desires.

She Only Wants You When It’s Convenient for Her

A woman running game on you will only reach out when she needs something from you or when it’s convenient for her. This self-centered behavior is designed to keep you available and emotionally available on her terms, but without giving you much in return.

• Appearing only when she’s lonely or bored: She contacts you when there’s no one else to talk to, when she’s feeling down, or when she’s bored and needs someone to pass the time with. But when she’s doing well, she becomes distant.

• Minimal emotional support: When you need emotional support or understanding, she’s nowhere to be found. She’s only available to you when it serves her needs, but never when you need a shoulder to lean on.

• Self-serving interactions: Most of your interactions with her are about her needs, desires, or problems. She rarely takes the time to check in on you or offer you the same level of care.

Her lack of reciprocity and only reaching out when she’s lonely or bored indicates that she’s not truly invested in your well-being.

She Manipulates Your Emotions

One of the most damaging signs that a woman is running game on you is if she is constantly manipulating your emotions. She knows exactly how to push your buttons, evoke your sympathy, or make you feel guilty, all while ensuring she comes out on top.

• Creating emotional chaos: She may create unnecessary drama in your life, making you feel like you need to fix things or make things right. She wants you to feel responsible for the emotional ups and downs in the relationship.

• Playing with your jealousy: She may intentionally flirt with other people or do things to provoke jealousy, just to see how much you care about her. This is a form of emotional testing.

• Making you feel guilty: If you don’t do what she wants, she will make you feel guilty for not prioritizing her, making you second-guess your actions.

This type of emotional manipulation ensures she remains in control of the situation while you are left trying to navigate a relationship full of confusion and turmoil.

How to Handle It

If you suspect a woman is running game on you, it’s essential to take a step back and assess the situation with a clear mind. Here are some tips for how to handle it:

• Trust your instincts: If something feels off, trust your gut. Often, your intuition will tell you when things aren’t as they seem.

• Set boundaries: Make it clear to her what you will and won’t tolerate. Don’t be afraid to assert yourself and walk away if your boundaries are being crossed.

• Communicate openly: Have an honest conversation with her about how you feel. Tell her if you feel manipulated, confused, or emotionally drained.

• Don’t be afraid to walk away: Sometimes the best course of action is to cut ties with someone who isn’t being genuine or respectful. Protecting your emotional health is always a priority.

Recognizing the signs early on and taking action to protect yourself from emotional manipulation is the best way to avoid getting hurt. Remember, you deserve honesty, respect, and a relationship where both partners are equally invested.

Conclusion

Navigating relationships can be challenging, especially when someone is running games on you. If you’re encountering behaviors that leave you feeling emotionally drained, confused, or manipulated, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate the situation.

By recognizing the signs that someone is playing games—whether it’s keeping you at a distance emotionally, sending mixed signals, or manipulating your emotions—you can protect yourself from further harm. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries, communicate openly, and, if necessary, walk away from someone who isn’t treating you with the respect and care you deserve.

At the end of the day, a healthy relationship should be built on mutual trust, respect, and understanding. If someone is not willing to offer you these qualities, it may be time to move on and find someone who values you for who you are.