Always Appear Dumber Than Your Mark
One of the most underrated strategies in life—and especially when dealing with toxic people—is to always appear dumber than your mark. It’s not about being deceptive; it’s about refusing to play into their games. Toxic people thrive on feeling smarter, more powerful, or more in control. They set traps, bait you with drama, and hope you’ll rise to the occasion so they can keep you engaged.
They thrive on your engagement—your energy feeds their narrative. When you don’t give them that, their efforts fall flat, and they’re left standing in their own mess.
This isn’t about manipulation; it’s about preservation. Protecting your peace sometimes means letting others think they’ve outsmarted you while you quietly move on to better things. Let them believe what they want. The real victory lies in disengaging and focusing on the people, places, and opportunities that align with your growth.
Affirmation: I’m naive enough to get everything I’ve always wanted. You’re smart enough to be fully aware of everything you lack. Regardless, I take my power back.
The Horror Movie Moment We All Hate (and Why It’s a Life Lesson)
You know what I despise? That cliché moment in horror movies where the protagonist decides to confront the killer. They piece together the clues, march up to the psychopath, and lay it all out—“I know what you did!”!
Why? For what purpose? Many times they stay around long enough to be within the drama and still meet their demise. In real life, I would never do that. You’re not reasoning with a sociopath. Their greatest fear isn’t exposure; they don’t care. They know exactly what they’re doing.
If I ever found myself in a horror movie scenario and connected the dots? I’m out. No big showdown. No self-righteous monologue. Just poof—gone. I don’t need the satisfaction of telling someone I see through them. My peace is the victory.
Life Is Not a Horror Movie—Stop Telling on Yourself
This brings me to today’s topic: why we feel the need to expose toxic people, whether in relationships, friendships, or professional settings. It’s a common trap, especially when we’ve done the work to grow and heal. You want to prove you’re on to them, to flex your enlightenment. But here’s the truth: it’s a waste of energy.
Let me take you back to the concept of divine apathy—the ability to disengage from the chaos, the drama, the endless dance of dysfunction. Beyond the circus of toxic relationships are people who are forthcoming, just, and emotionally safe to be around. Why keep circling back to the dysfunction to announce your enlightenment?
Deciphering the Past Without Getting Stuck
The past is valuable—it helps us decode patterns, identify triggers, and understand our “thing.” Everyone has a “thing” in relationships: Some people attract partners who physically harm them. Others fall for those who triangulate them into unnecessary competition. Some face subtle shaming as a way to muscle them into submission.
Once you identify your “thing,” you gain clarity. You see how certain people exploited it. But here’s the kicker: once you’re aware, your only job is to move on. No subliminal posts. No quotes aimed at them. No finger-pointing. No long text messages. No drawn out heart to hearts that essentially lead to the same behavior. Why? Because they don’t care. Any resolution is only seen as you still being in the game, so don’t be surprised if they keep playing with you.
Remember the killer in the movie? They know what they did. Your realization is for you—to protect yourself, not to broadcast it or altar someone’s shitty behavior. They have to be the ones who want to stop playing. Silence!
The Art of Acting Dumb (or: Out-Tricking the Trickster)
Here’s where I get spicy: I love to play the fool. As they say, “Always appear dumber than your mark.” It’s not about being deceptive; it’s about refusing to engage in their games. If someone thrives on competition? Don’t compete. Compliment them excessively or, better yet, disappear from the game entirely. If they try to triangulate you? Befriend the person they’re pitting against you. If they diminish your attributes? Own them so completely that they can’t be used against you.
Sometimes, flipping the script is the best move. Not for vengeance, but to disarm and disengage. Laugh about their tactics with your friends. Let their energy fizzle out on its own or be entertained by their performance. The difference is watching the circus and being in the circus!
Stop Feeding the Drama
I’m tired of the “you know what you did” narratives. Stop pointing fingers. Stop giving these people space in your mind and energy. The best revenge? Dust. Pay them no mind. Focus on educating yourself and others to spot these behaviors early.
Because at the end of the day, you don’t need the soapbox or the showdown. You just need to walk away with your peace intact and your boundaries stronger than ever. Leave the killers—and the drama—behind.
Always Appear Dumber Than Your Mark
One of the most underrated strategies in life—and especially when dealing with toxic people—is to always appear dumber than your mark. It’s not about being deceptive; it’s about refusing to play into their games. Toxic people thrive on feeling smarter, more powerful, or more in control. They set traps, bait you with drama, and hope you’ll rise to the occasion so they can keep you engaged.
They thrive on your engagement—your energy feeds their narrative. When you don’t give them that, their efforts fall flat, and they’re left standing in their own mess.
This isn’t about manipulation; it’s about preservation. Protecting your peace sometimes means letting others think they’ve outsmarted you while you quietly move on to better things. Let them believe what they want. The real victory lies in disengaging and focusing on the people, places, and opportunities that align with your growth.
Affirmation: I’m naive enough to get everything I’ve always wanted. You’re smart enough to be fully aware of everything you lack. Regardless, I take my power back.
The Horror Movie Moment We All Hate (and Why It’s a Life Lesson)
You know what I despise? That cliché moment in horror movies where the protagonist decides to confront the killer. They piece together the clues, march up to the psychopath, and lay it all out—“I know what you did!”!
Why? For what purpose? Many times they stay around long enough to be within the drama and still meet their demise. In real life, I would never do that. You’re not reasoning with a sociopath. Their greatest fear isn’t exposure; they don’t care. They know exactly what they’re doing.
If I ever found myself in a horror movie scenario and connected the dots? I’m out. No big showdown. No self-righteous monologue. Just poof—gone. I don’t need the satisfaction of telling someone I see through them. My peace is the victory.
Life Is Not a Horror Movie—Stop Telling on Yourself
This brings me to today’s topic: why we feel the need to expose toxic people, whether in relationships, friendships, or professional settings. It’s a common trap, especially when we’ve done the work to grow and heal. You want to prove you’re on to them, to flex your enlightenment. But here’s the truth: it’s a waste of energy.
Let me take you back to the concept of divine apathy—the ability to disengage from the chaos, the drama, the endless dance of dysfunction. Beyond the circus of toxic relationships are people who are forthcoming, just, and emotionally safe to be around. Why keep circling back to the dysfunction to announce your enlightenment?
Deciphering the Past Without Getting Stuck
The past is valuable—it helps us decode patterns, identify triggers, and understand our “thing.” Everyone has a “thing” in relationships: Some people attract partners who physically harm them. Others fall for those who triangulate them into unnecessary competition. Some face subtle shaming as a way to muscle them into submission.
Once you identify your “thing,” you gain clarity. You see how certain people exploited it. But here’s the kicker: once you’re aware, your only job is to move on. No subliminal posts. No quotes aimed at them. No finger-pointing. No long text messages. No drawn out heart to hearts that essentially lead to the same behavior. Why? Because they don’t care. Any resolution is only seen as you still being in the game, so don’t be surprised if they keep playing with you.
Remember the killer in the movie? They know what they did. Your realization is for you—to protect yourself, not to broadcast it or altar someone’s shitty behavior. They have to be the ones who want to stop playing. Silence!
The Art of Acting Dumb (or: Out-Tricking the Trickster)
Here’s where I get spicy: I love to play the fool. As they say, “Always appear dumber than your mark.” It’s not about being deceptive; it’s about refusing to engage in their games. If someone thrives on competition? Don’t compete. Compliment them excessively or, better yet, disappear from the game entirely. If they try to triangulate you? Befriend the person they’re pitting against you. If they diminish your attributes? Own them so completely that they can’t be used against you.
Sometimes, flipping the script is the best move. Not for vengeance, but to disarm and disengage. Laugh about their tactics with your friends. Let their energy fizzle out on its own or be entertained by their performance. The difference is watching the circus and being in the circus!
Stop Feeding the Drama
I’m tired of the “you know what you did” narratives. Stop pointing fingers. Stop giving these people space in your mind and energy. The best revenge? Dust. Pay them no mind. Focus on educating yourself and others to spot these behaviors early.
Because at the end of the day, you don’t need the soapbox or the showdown. You just need to walk away with your peace intact and your boundaries stronger than ever. Leave the killers—and the drama—behind.