If you are serious about finding a partner for life, the last kind of man you want is the one who will play mind games with you.
Matters of the heart are delicate, and if they are not treated with care, they can have serious consequences.
But some men don’t seem to get the memo, as they play mind games with their partners.
The worst part is that some don’t even realize it when they are doing it.
So, why do guys play mind games?
Let’s look at the exact reasons behind this behavior and what you can do to avoid getting caught in a web of deceit.
But before then, let’s understand what mind games are.
What are Mind Games?
Mind games are a series of manipulative tactics that a person uses to control or influence another person’s thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.
These tactics are often subtle and usually include playing hard to get, leading someone on, being hot and cold, making someone jealous, giving mixed signals, or using guilt or shame to get what they want.
Mind games can be used in many different types of relationships, including romantic relationships, friendships, and even professional settings, but for the purpose of this blog post, let’s stick to romantic relationships.
9 Reasons Guys Play Mind Games With Women
1) Control
One of the main reasons guys play mind games is to exert control.
You’re probably wondering, “Control? Really?”
Yes, it’s true.
Sometimes, guys feel like they’re losing their grip on a situation, maybe even on you, and this makes them uncomfortable.
To regain this sense of control, they might resort to mind games.
When they keep you on your toes, they feel like they’re steering the relationship or situation.
They’re the ones calling the shots.
So it’s all about power for them.
We all know that whoever is in control holds the power in a relationship, and who doesn’t want that?
2) Fear of Commitment
Another reason they might be playing mind games is because they’re afraid to commit.
Maybe the thought of settling down with one person for a long period of time terrifies them, so they use mind games as a way to slow down the relationship and keep their distance from you.
They’re playing a game to avoid getting too close, even if they actually do like you.
This way, they don’t have to commit and can still enjoy the fun parts of a relationship without the responsibility or emotional attachment that comes with it.
Crazy, I know, but it’s what it is.
3) Fear of Rejection
Sometimes, guys play mind games because they are afraid of rejection.
They don’t want to put themselves in a situation where they could be rejected, so they decide to keep you guessing and never fully commit or express their feelings.
This way, if things don’t work out, they won’t feel embarrassed or exposed.
No one likes to feel rejected, even men especially, who are raised to believe they are the best thing since grilled chicken.
So, playing mind games is a way for them to protect themselves from the possibility of being rejected.
4) Fear of Intimacy
No relationship can make sense without true and genuine intimacy.
I don’t mean physical intimacy, but emotional intimacy, the kind where you share and express your feelings with each other.
Some guys might be afraid of being so vulnerable, so they use mind games as a way to avoid true intimacy in a relationship.
They don’t want to bare their soul and open up completely.
Maybe they are afraid of what you’d find or feel insecure about their own feelings.
So they play mind games as a way of protecting themselves and avoiding true intimacy.
5) Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem is the feeling that you are not good enough or worthy of love.
Guys struggle with low self-esteem just like women do.
They might play mind games because they want you to think they completely have their lives together and don’t need anyone else when in reality, all they need is to feel loved and accepted.
When a guy can’t find that love or acceptance from someone who cares about him, he might resort to playing mind games in order to feel better about himself.
He might use manipulation tactics like playing hard to get or making you jealous to make himself feel more valuable and attractive.
6) To Test Your Loyalty
Another weird reason guys play mind games is to test your loyalty.
They want to see how much you care about them before committing to a more serious relationship.
It’s like they’re putting out bait and waiting for you to bite it so they can gauge your feelings.
If you stick around and prove yourself, then they’ll know that you really care about them and won’t leave them no matter what.
But if they see that you’re not willing to put up with their nonsense, then they’ll know that you are not the one for them.
However, some guys who really love you might stop playing mind games with you and even respect you more when they see that you won’t put up with it.
7) Insecurity
Insecurity is also a huge factor when it comes to playing mind games.
A guy might be insecure about his looks, money, or social status and use manipulation tactics to make himself feel better.
I mean, we all struggle with a bit of insecurity from time to time, don’t we?
But guys who are so insecure play mind games, and this might manifest itself in different ways, like playing hard to get, leading you on, or making you jealous.
8) He Doesn’t Know How Else to Express Himself
To date intelligently, you need to be skillful at communicating your feelings.
Unfortunately, some guys don’t know how to express themselves and use mind games as a way of communicating their true feelings without having to actually say them out loud.
Maybe they like you but are too scared to admit it, so they resort to manipulative tactics instead.
It’s not ideal, I know, but sometimes that’s all they have.
9) He wants attention
Last but not least, some guys might play mind games because they like the attention and drama it brings.
You think women are the only ones who love drama?
Because what we usually hear is ”dramatic girlfriend’, ”drama queen” and rarely ”dramatic boyfriend” or ”drama king”.
Well, I know drama queen can be used for anyone, but you get my point, right? lol
So, some men like drama too!
If you find yourself dealing with a man who loves mind games, it might be because he just wants attention and excitement in his life.
He may be trying to create an atmosphere of uncertainty that’ll keep things interesting and fun for him.
Final Thoughts
I don’t know about you, but I can’t deal with a man who plays mind games.
It’s just immature, manipulative, and annoying.
However, understanding why they do it might help you figure out how to handle the situation better.
At the end of the day, you need to be firm with your boundaries and make sure he knows that playing mind games with you won’t be tolerated.
If he’s worth it, then he’ll listen and stop playing these games.
If he’s not, then you’ll have saved yourself the trouble of being in a relationship with someone who doesn’t respect you.