Warning: You’re Stronger Than You Think.
Do you ever feel like you’re walking on eggshells, and no matter what you do, someone always finds a way to bring you down? Hello, narcissist. These self-obsessed people are experts at making you doubt yourself, and they love to poke holes in your self-esteem. But don’t worry, I’m here to tell you how to spot them from a mile away and take your power back. Let’s get this straight, shall we?
- They’re Masters of Manipulation
You’ve heard it a million times: “That never happened,” “You’re overreacting,” “That’s not what I meant.” Manipulation is the art of making you doubt your reality, and they’re masters at it. But here’s the thing: trust your instincts. If you know something’s up, it’s up—no matter what they say.
- They’re Putting You Down with “Compliments”
“Oh, you look good today… for someone your age.” Narcissists love the indirect compliment. They want to make you feel good and bad at the same time. The solution? Learn to see through the veil of their fake compliments. They’re not trying to build you up; they’re just trying to bring you down.
- They Play the Victim
Somehow, you end up apologizing for making you feel like trash. Sound familiar? They twist everything so that you end up feeling responsible for their tantrums. Here’s a little life hack: Never take the blame for someone else’s emotional baggage. You’re not the guardian of their feelings.
- They Constantly Compare You to Others
“Oh, Jessica is so much better at that than you.” Narcissists love the comparison game. They want to make you feel small by comparing you to others. But here’s the thing: You’re not Jessica. You are you, and you’re great just the way you are.
- They Love to Sabotage Your Success
Every time you’re close to a big win, they somehow find a way to sabotage it—either by downplaying your accomplishments or distracting you at the wrong moment. Pro tip: Celebrate your successes anyway. Let their sabotage fuel your next victory.
- They Never Apologize (Ever)
Narcissists are allergic to saying “I’m sorry.” An apology is always yours to make, even when they’ve clearly wronged you. Don’t be fooled. A real apology comes with change, not empty words.
- They Turn Everything Into a Competition
Can’t have a nice conversation? No. Everything is a competition—who’s smarter, who’s richer, who’s better-looking. It’s exhausting! But here’s the secret: You don’t have to play their game. You’re already winning by just being yourself.
- They Weaponize Silence
When they’re upset, they disappear. I’ve seen the silent treatment at work. They won’t answer your calls or texts, and when they do talk, it’s ice cold. But guess what? You can outlast them. Find your own peace, and let them drown in their own drama.
- They Play Mind Games
Narcissists love to make you feel like you’re losing your mind. One minute they’re friendly and approachable, and the next, they’re distant and cold. It’s all about control. Stay real, trust your reality, and remember: you don’t need their approval to validate you.
- They “Forget” Important Things About You
They claim they “forgot” your birthday, your favorite movie, or the fact that you don’t like pineapple on pizza. It’s not forgetting, it’s manipulation. They want you to feel invisible. But don’t let them do it. Your uniqueness is worth remembering.
- They Don’t Respect Your Boundaries
Boundaries? What are boundaries? A narcissist will test every boundary you set—whether it’s your personal space, your time, or your emotions. But here’s the thing: “No” is a complete sentence. Protect your peace and don’t apologize for it.
- They make you feel like you’re never enough
You just finished a huge project at work? “That’s nice, but why didn’t you get more done?” No matter what you do, it’ll never be enough for them. What do you expect? That’s their problem, not yours. You’re more than enough, even when they can’t see it.
- They ignore your needs
When it’s time to talk about your feelings, they suddenly lose interest. Narcissists are great at making everything about them, and your needs secondary. But here’s a little secret: Your needs matter. Speak up and demand attention—your voice deserves to be heard.
- They Play You With Guilt
“After all I’ve done for you…” Narcissists will play the guilt card every chance they get. Don’t let them play you into feeling responsible for their happiness. Their happiness is their responsibility, not yours.
- They’re Masters of the “Blame Game”
If something goes wrong, it’s never their fault. Narcissists will blame you, even if they caused the problem. Let them enjoy their pity party, and remember: Their problems are theirs to solve, not yours.
- They Ignore Your Accomplishments
You gave a great presentation? “Oh, that’s great. You did something much harder today.” Narcissists downplay your success to make their own seem bigger. But no matter how they try to dull your shine, keep shining. Their insecurities are not a reflection of yours.
- They Use Flattery to Manipulate You
“You’re the only one who understands me!” Narcissists are experts at using flattery to lure you in. They don’t really care about you—they just want to keep you under their emotional control. Be vigilant and don’t fall for manipulation disguised as emotion.
- They Never Take Responsibility
It’s always someone else’s fault. Narcissists can never admit when they’re wrong, which makes it impossible to have a constructive conversation. But you don’t need them to admit anything. You’re already in control of your actions, and that’s what matters.
- They’ll discourage you from growing
Every time you try something new or pursue a passion, they throw cold water on your dreams. The reason? They feel threatened by your growth. But let them talk. You’re unstoppable when you’re focused on your own growth.
- They Love Drama and Chaos
Narcissists thrive in a world of chaos. If there’s peace, they’ll find a way to stir things up just to feel powerful. The trick? Stay calm, breathe, and let the drama they stir up roll off your back like water on a duck.
HowToStopThem: Regain Your Self-Esteem
Narcissists may be experts at crushing your self-esteem, but you are a force to be reckoned with. The next time you see one of these signs, remember that you are in control. Set clear boundaries, trust yourself, and refuse to give in to their manipulations. Reclaim your power, and let them boil over in their selfishness. You deserve peace, respect, and the confidence to be your authentic self.
