Stonewalling and gray rocking are different strategies, typically employed in emotionally charged interactions, especially with difficult or manipulative individuals.
- Stonewalling: This involves shutting down communication completely—refusing to engage, respond, or acknowledge the other person. It’s often seen as an avoidance or defense mechanism to stop conflict but can come across as dismissive or punishing.
- Gray Rocking: This is a technique used to deter manipulation by becoming uninteresting and emotionally neutral. Instead of cutting off communication, the person provides minimal, bland, and unemotional responses to avoid fueling conflict or drama.
The key difference lies in intent: stonewalling can escalate tension or serve as a power play, while gray rocking is a conscious tool to disarm manipulation.
My Voice Unchained 