Sometimes you have to look for what’s not directly staring you in the face.

Looking rather than listening reveals a lot about a person’s character, and no matter how much you hear, it’s helpful to step back and see what’s going on.

If you want to walk the path of honesty, you have to look for the signs that lead you there.

I want to help you with these five nonverbal signs that a narcissist is lying to you.

It’s time.

Look Close

When you look at some paintings from a distance, they look great, right? The image seems clear, and you can understand what it represents.

Then you get closer. You see cracks, strange marks, or even detailed images that alter or distort your initial ideas about the painting’s meaning.

Related : 7 Ways How Narcissists Drive You Crazy in Seconds

Oh my.

I used to think that was the point, but now I see there are actually some flaws.

Of course!

Because you looked for what wasn’t directly staring at you at first.

That’s what I want you to do now.

1 Microexpressions That Don’t Match Their Words

One of the most powerful comments I receive from victims of narcissistic abuse is:

When you look at a narcissist, the way they act doesn’t match what you see in their eyes.

A smile is a smile, and we’re all drawn to them like the sun after a period of darkness. But you know what? A smile can hide a lot.

Related : 5 Pains You Cause a Narcissist Everyday Without Knowing

Victims always tell me that the eyes are where the truth lies, and a narcissist’s eyes are completely different from anything I’ve ever seen.

They’re dark.

Empty.

Denuded of life.

Even if they’re slightly closed.

They don’t sparkle or smile. They’re filled with all the toxic ways the narcissist is plotting against you. They tell the story of a life where you’ve been unable to love.

It’s sad, but it’s a very powerful nonverbal way of telling you that the narcissist is lying to you.

I love you.

I promise.

It’s all right.

I want to marry you.

I think you’re amazing.

I can’t wait.

Look into the eyes.

She’s forever uninterested.

Then there’s the other side of the coin.

You’re a terrible person.

You’re useless.

You look tired and drained.

I don’t think you’re qualified for the promotion you want.

Look into the eyes.

She’s jealous. She wants to drag you down so you feel bad about yourself.

She’s full of hate. Why would anyone be so cruel?

2 Too much eye contact vs. no eye contact

Look at me, look at me, look at me.

I’m not lying.

See?

If you look deep into my eyes, you’ll see the truth.

It’s funny, isn’t it? I mean, what are you looking at? You’re looking into a set of eyes and trying to convince yourself that what you’re seeing is the truth.

Related : This Is When a Narcissist Starts Missing You The Most

Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate your intelligence, but narcissists undermine it.

They will convince you so vehemently that what you’re seeing is the truth, as if you’re being hypnotized by them.

And what’s next? You’re programmed to believe any lie and consider it the truth.

Conversely, you may not even make eye contact at all!

No matter what you say or do, the narcissist refuses to look directly at you. You think they’re busy or distracted, but the truth is, they’re avoiding you.

3 Inconsistent Body Language

Body language is one of the most important factors in detecting a lie, especially a narcissist.

They usually appear confident, but in reality, it only takes one thing to fool them—and that could be their lie.

I advise you to observe them and let them prove to you that they’re not telling the truth.

Watch for the following:

Turning away from you while they’re talking. They don’t want to see your reaction, as this might give them away. Instead, they shrink back and continue their pursuit of empty talk.

Related : 6 Subtle Signs a Narcissist is Near Their Breaking Point

A lot of blinking. Narcissists do this to avoid looking at you for too long, lest you find out or they collapse, as happened before.

They do the opposite of what they’re saying to you physically. Things like telling you you’re attractive or appealing, but refusing to touch you. This doesn’t mean you’re not, it simply means they’re too afraid to get close to you—or anyone else.

Crossed arms. Narcissists love the “me versus you” tactic, and it’s a common one. They’ll try to distance you from what they’re saying for fear of being found out.

Extroverts are fairly open in their body language, too. There’s no barrier, just the usual healthy boundaries.

4 Listen to the voice: Sudden changes in tone or speed

You can almost hear them overthinking or overcompensating in the moment, right?

It doesn’t really matter what they say, it’s how they say it that matters.

Changes in tone or speed are designed to try to throw you off track, or even push them away from what they’re saying at that moment.

It’s almost as if they’re starting to believe it. They’re begging to see you fall into the next trap they’ve set for you. And you know what? Over time, they learn how to do it well.

I don’t want you to be the person who falls for it every day of your life. Lies aren’t something you adapt to or get used to.

Related : 7 Ways How Narcissists Have Double Standards With Money

They’re dangerous, and narcissists are the authors of these lies.

If you’re listening for any shifts or shifts in their tone, you’re definitely listening for the ways they’re actively trying to instill their lies into your nervous system.

5 Fake: Faking Emotions

There’s nothing worse than seeing a fake smile, right?

As someone who thrives in authentic environments, fake emotions are a bad way to judge a situation as it unfolds.

You want to be able to tell that the person you’re talking to is genuinely enjoying it and isn’t trying to make you believe it’s real and good.

It’s a real sign that they’re lying, and frankly, it makes victims feel bad about themselves.

So, here’s where I ask you:

Have you ever seen fake or contrived emotions?

If you have, you’ll know how hard it is to be on the receiving end. You want to believe what they say because the words are nice.

Related : One Thing You Can Tell The Narcissist To Make Them Lose Their Minds

They love you.

They care about you.

They want to marry you someday.

But the happiness behind it sounds rushed, contrived, and words they regret saying.

Learning to decode fakeness will help you accept that everything a narcissist says or does isn’t real.

This will help you get over it faster than denying that there is a problem at all.