Reading texts from a narcissist can sometimes feel like you’re reading a foreign language!
They often aren’t logical or sensical, and it’s easy to lose yourself trying to figure out what it all means.
However, learning to decode their texting habits can help you feel more prepared.
Let’s dive into some examples of Narcissist text messages and the best ways how to respond to them.
The Narcissist Text Habits
Gaslighting. Ghosting. Constant bombardment. Strange emojis and weird pictures. Does this sound like a familiar pattern to you?
When the narcissist texts you, do you feel like you’re just playing games and engaged in a strange form of alternative reality? You’re onto something, and you’re not imagining things!
As you have probably realized, texting with a narcissist feels much different from texting others.
You might feel anxious, frustrated, or annoyed whenever you see you have a new message from them. You may also feel tempted to block them from time to time.
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That’s because the narcissistic texting style tends to be very manipulative and contrived.
The narcissist often crafts their words carefully, and they use this form of communication to give themselves a temporary ego boost.
Talking with a narcissist is already challenging. But texting creates another layer of complications.
Because they have time to think about how they want to respond, narcissist texting habits tend to make other people feel gaslit.
You might start questioning your reality or sanity- you may wonder if you’re the only one who finds talking to them so difficult.
In addition, texts from a narcissist can often feel disjointed, confusing, and overly emotional.
Of course, you want their approval, but you may also feel anxious when waiting for their response.
And when you get caught in the insidious narcissist text games, you may even feel like you’re walking on eggshells.
We’ll get into some specific examples below.
11 Examples of Narcissist Text Messages
As you know, texts from a narcissist differ greatly from ordinary texts. For example, their communication style may not follow any logic or pattern.
The texts may come at strange hours or without any warning. And narcissists love to jump from topic to topic, thinking about only their needs.
While every narcissist differs, you will notice a few common behavioral patterns. In general, narcissists typically text to:
- Reaffirm their love and appreciation for you (common during the love-bombing stage).
- Gaslight your reality.
- Bring back in your attention when they sense you’re being distant.
- Guilt you into doing something for them.
- Confirm that you are still loyal to the relationship.
This section overviews some common gaslighting examples of narcissist text messages.
These texts are designed to make you question yourself and your reality. They also keep you inevitably hooked in the drama of the narcissistic relationship.
We’ll also discuss some common hoovering strategies of narcissist text messages. Hoovering is a common narcissistic tactic designed to lure people back into their world despite solid attempts to set boundaries or leave altogether.
#1 Total Bombardment Texts
Maybe you were only in a meeting for an hour. When you check your phone after the meeting ends, you discover that you have 10+ unread text messages from the narcissist.
In more extreme cases, you’ll also find several missed phone calls and voicemails.
This isn’t a one-time thing or indicative of an actual emergency. Total bombardment comes when the narcissist feels desperate for attention. And they tend to feel most desperate when they know you’re the most unavailable.
This pattern is a key sign that they feel deprived of their narcissistic supply. They want your attention and validation to restore a sense of control in their lives. And they will likely keep bothering you until they receive that.
You can expect to feel bombarded when:
- You are busy (and the narcissist is resenting why you are busy at that moment).
- The narcissist feels worried or threatened about your relationship.
- You are in a fight, and the narcissist wants to resolve the issue quickly.
- The narcissist wants to sabotoge whatever you’re currently doing.
The overload is meant to send a strong message that screams, pay attention to me! I won’t stop until you do!
It’s like how toddlers throw tantrums until the parent eventually gives them what they want. And the more you give in (by responding), the more attention they receive.
#2 Intense Proclamations of Love
Nobody in this world understands me as you do.
I would seriously die without you.
I just love you so damn much!
We all like feeling special, but narcissists use love bombing as a weapon to make their partners feel like they’re the most important person in the world.
At first glance, this may seem harmless. It may also seem flattering and exciting, especially when you’re in the initial whirlwind of falling in love.
But think about how you often feel when you receive these texts. Do they come across as a bit inauthentic? Dramatic or over-the-top? Embarrassing? And how would you feel if someone else read them?
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These emotions suggest more nefarious intent. In genuine, loving relationships, partners genuinely validate and praise each other. It isn’t excessive, but it’s enough for both people to feel appreciated.
Narcissists, however, often rely on hollow words to manipulate someone else’s emotional state.
They don’t necessarily mean what they say, but they say it to make you feel a certain way. And what faster, easier way to do this than with a quick text?
#3 Vaguely Dramatic Texts
I’m not really fine right now, but we can talk about it later.
How are you doing? I feel like shit.
You probably won’t see this until later, but just letting you know I received some terrible news.
If these texts feel anxiety-provoking, keep in mind it’s intentional. Narcissists love using heightened, emotional language when text messaging with others. It’s a way they can hook you into their drama and keep you responding to them.
You may notice that they often send these texts after moments of disconnection (like after an argument or after you two have spent some time apart).
This is because they want to make you feel guilty and hope you’ll try to rescue them from their insecurity.
After all, even negative attention is still attention when it comes to narcissism. And so, they’ll do whatever it takes to get the attention back where they want it: on themselves.
#4 No-Nonsense, Demanding Texts
You need to change your shirt right now. It’s slutty.
Go pick us up for dinner.
I need you to call me right now.
Most people send matter-of-fact texts occasionally (especially in moments of urgency), but narcissists often come across as chronically demanding. And of course, they expect you to drop everything you’re doing and take care of their need instantly.
These texts may come out of nowhere. They might also arrive when the narcissist knows you’re busy and can’t agree to their request.
When that’s the case, they will likely punish you by complaining about how you never pay attention to their needs later. It’s a lose-lose situation by design.
#5 Word Salad
So, I’ve been thinking about us a lot lately. I realize that I’ve made so many mistakes with you, and I’m genuinely sorry for that. I’m just not used to being with someone who is so sensitive. I’m super committed to making things work from here on and out. You know you’re the only one for me. Even though I struggle to trust you sometimes, I want to work on that. It’s hard not to be jealous when other people flirt with you! I need to do better, though. I think we can both do better. Are you willing to put in the effort with me?
When you read the above message, how do you feel? Confused? Uncertain? Uneasy? That’s because narcissists love to use lots of half-apologies and manipulative communication to overwhelm people with their seemingly “thoughtful messages.”
Word salad is a psychiatric term that describes disorganized and inconclusive speech or writing. It’s common in dementia or psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.
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But narcissists also use a refined version of word salad to send mixed messages to their loved ones. You can usually tell you’re receiving this kind of text if:
- The message feels unrelated and illogical.
- It was entirely unprompted.
- The content feels repetitive (like you’ve heard it a thousand times).
- It all seems vague or overgeneralized.
- You feel attacked or blamed (but aren’t entirely sure why).
- There’s a subtle sense of rage or competition.
#6 Feigning Crises
I’m at the hospital right now. Just thought you should know.
I know we aren’t really on speaking terms, but I really need support with something.
I really need to talk to you about something serious that happened.
It’s no secret that compassionate, empathic people end up in tumultuous relationships with narcissists. Narcissists, after all, are predatory, and they often detect generosity.
Unfortunately, they will use your kindness to take advantage of you. Feigning crises is a common hoovering technique that will pull your most sensitive heartstrings. If you’re taking a break or ending the relationship, you can expect to receive these messages.
Keep in mind that a crisis can be anything. They might start with a more innocent request like,
Hey, I know we aren’t together anymore. But I don’t have anyone else right now. My landlord is threatening to evict me in a few days if I can’t pay the rent. It’s just really stressful. I’m not looking for money or anything, but it’d be nice to have someone to talk to.
You will likely feel compelled to respond. In some cases, the crises will be entirely valid. But most of the time, the narcissist is just fabricating or exaggerating drama to get your attention.
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#7 Juicy Tidbits
I can’t wait to catch up later! So much to tell you! XO
I am so excited to see you later- you’re in for a big surprise!
Just had a conversation with my boss. Wow! You won’t believe what happened.
Narcissists are the only people who use juicy tidbits when texting. It’s a fairly common way to communicate with people. However, narcissists often rely on this strategy as a way to maintain a dying conversation.
For example, a typical conversation might go like this:
You: Having such a busy day at work. Talk later.
Narcissist: Ok love you
Narcissist: Wow, just got the strangest phone call
Narcissist: Sorry, it’s just really on my mind. We can talk about it later though
At first glance, it may seem like the narcissist is genuinely just replaying a specific event.
But they’re actually manipulating the situation to solicit your time and energy. Even if they act like they don’t care if you respond, you can certainly assume they’re betting that you will!
#8 Middle-Of-The-Night Drama
Hey, are you awake?
Have you ever received that text just as you were about to fall asleep? It’s a hard one, isn’t it! But chances are, you feel pressured to respond. After all, the question seems innocent (but intriguing enough) that you probably want to hear what they say.
Unfortunately, narcissists love playing games with others. So, even if nothing is happening, they want to know that you will give them the attention they want.
Every time you respond to one of these late-night “innocent” questions, you reinforce the narcissistic text games.
#9 Controversial Links/Pictures
Because narcissists often enjoy stirring the pot, they have no problem sending strange links, websites, pictures, or attachments just to see how you respond.
It’s important to remember that they may not care at all about the content itself- they’re just interested in your reaction.
For example, if they know you’re passionate about animal welfare, they might send you a video clip of a pet owner abusing their dog.
Or, if they know you loathe a particular celebrity, they may send you an article about their upcoming movie.
It may seem strange that someone intentionally wants to aggravate you. But keep in mind that the goal isn’t pissing you off. The goal is simply sustaining conversation and feeling like they have power over you.
#10 Random Ghosting Patterns
One minute, you’re texting back and forth and engaged in a conversation. And then it’s radio silence. This silence may last several hours, days, or even weeks.
This ghosting pattern may feel random, but it’s entirely intentional. The narcissist just wants to make you feel anxious.
Maybe they’re feeling annoyed or embarrassed that they’re putting more effort than they’d like into the relationship. Maybe they want to test your loyalty to ensure you still care about them.
The narcissist wants you to express their worry to them. They want to hear you say, Is everything okay or Did I do something wrong? I haven’t heard from you in awhile.
Most of the time, they will gaslight you with a generic text like, Yeah, everything is fine. I just got busy with things, or Nothing’s wrong. Sorry. What’s up with you?
Sometimes, they might respond with their infamous vaguely dramatic text like, I’m just thinking about things or I’m not doing great, but I’ll be okay.
Of course, they know this response will likely make you feel more anxious and uncertain. They hope those feelings will prompt you to keep checking in on them.
#11 ‘Oops, Wrong Person’ Texts
Have you ever received a strange, seductive, or overly personal text from a narcissist, only for them to say you weren’t the intended recipient?
Mistakes can happen, but it probably isn’t a mistake if this has happened to you more than once or twice. It’s just the narcissist playing cruel games with you.
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For example, they might be testing different ways to communicate. They might want you to know how “important they are” to be texting other people.
They may even want to make you feel jealous, especially if they directly reveal something they haven’t told you.
How to Respond to a Narcissist Text Message?
Knowing what to text a narcissist or how to respond to a narcissistic text message isn’t always straightforward.
You don’t want to engage in toxic communication habits, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to respond just to boost someone else’s self-esteem. Here are some helpful pointers.
#1 State Your Limits
You do not need to respond to every message that the narcissist sends you. You also don’t need to respond within moments of receiving their text.
It’s perfectly reasonable to have boundaries around your technology use- and this applies even if you don’t have a narcissist in your life. Some good limits may include:
- Only using your phone at designated hours during the day.
- Requesting that people call instead of text in the event of actual emergencies.
- Turning your phone off or on silent at bedtime.
- Not using your phone on holidays or vacations.
Keep in mind that narcissists often expect to be the exceptions in people’s lives.
They don’t want to follow rules, so you can expect them to attempt to push your limits or disregard them altogether. Therefore, it’s your responsibility to take a firm stance.
#2 Respond to One Message at a Time
Don’t reinforce the word salad or nonstop bombardment. If and when you respond, sending a simple response is perfectly reasonable.
Don’t feel the need to answer every question they ask. The more you try to “match their level,” the more they assume your “level” is the only acceptable level.
#3 Avoid Serious Conversations Over Text
That sounds like a lot. Let’s talk about this in person.
I’m sorry you’re going through that. We’ll discuss it on the phone tomorrow.
You don’t have to engage in the drama over texting. Many times, narcissists are braver behind their screens than they are in person.
But if they want to have a serious conversation with you, you can put the ball in their court by requesting that you discuss these matters in person.
#4 Ignore Gaslighting or Games
Disengaging entirely is often the best strategy for responding to the narcissist’s text message. Instead of arguing or trying to “show them” why they’re wrong, aim to take a more neutral approach by saying nothing.
This neutral approach is beneficial if you seek a low-contact relationship. With these kinds of relationships, you want to limit or avoid feeding into narcissistic drama (as hard as that might be).
#5 Blocking Them
Remember that you have every right to choose who you want to be. If you feel ready to put a real stop to narcissistic abuse, you may need to block the narcissist.
Blocking ends the chaos and gives you time to reflect on how you want to proceed with your relationship.
Remember that blocking doesn’t need to be permanent—even if you feel ambivalent, it can be a helpful strategy for simply pausing and reflecting.
What Happens When You Don’t Respond to a Narcissist Text?
What happens when you don’t reply to a narcissist? And when you start ignoring a narcissist text, how should you prepare yourself for what lies next? Here’s what you can expect.
#1 Increased Bombarding
Hey, I haven’t heard from you. What’s going on?
Babe, is everything okay? Why aren’t you responding?
I’m getting worried. I’m going to come over right now.
If you thought their rapid series of texting was exhausting, you might be in for some rocky news. If a narcissist senses you’re ignoring them, they may become unhinged.
Losing power and control is one of their greatest fears, and cutting their access to you (even if it’s temporary) will make them feel threatened.
#2 Devaluing
You’re never here for me when I need you.
You’re so busy all the time- it’s like I don’t even matter to you.
I’m hurt it’s taken you so long to respond. I know you’ve seen my message.
Narcissists start devaluing their loved ones when they feel rejected. Sometimes, the rejection seems inconsequential.
For example, you may have been legitimately busy for most of the day, but they perceive your inattentiveness as a sign that you don’t care about them.
Devaluing is a way to punish you for hurting their ego. Over time, devaluing can cause them to discard you altogether.
The discard happens when you no longer meet their needs. They essentially develop a tolerance for controlling you. Eventually, they must move on to someone new to feel that “rush” again.
Keep in mind that this phase may persist for several months or years. If they do commit to the relationship, they might not reach the discard phase, but they will certainly alternate between love bombing and devaluing (often known as ‘hot and cold’) to keep you on your toes.
#3 Using Other Forms of Communication
Some narcissists will just transition into another way of contacting you if you don’t respond to their text messages.
They may call, email, message you on social media, or even show up at your home or work (this is a common response if they know you’ve blocked them).
If you confront them on this behavior, they will often rationalize the situation with a comment like, I just wanted to make sure you were okay.
In some cases, they will answer defensively and state, I care about you, and I was worried something happened! Do you want me just not to care anymore because I can do that!
This is why you should consider blocking as an all-or-nothing measure. It probably isn’t enough to just block them from texting or calling you.
You must also delete them from social media and inform friends, family members, and colleagues that they are no longer welcome in your life.
#4 Using Other People
For whatever reason, you haven’t responded to the narcissist. Maybe you’re busy at work. Perhaps you need a few moments to collect your thoughts and think about how you want to respond.
Rather than give you space, some narcissists will immediately jump to external reinforcements. They will contact friends and family to ensure that everything is okay.
How does this play out for you? You’ll probably receive a concerning message like, Hey, so-and-so just reached out and says they haven’t heard from you in a while. Is everything okay?
What Happens When Narcissists Realize You Are on to Them?
Okay, I‘m going to warn you right from the very start…
If you are ever onto a narcissist:
They will show you a side of them even YOU would never have dreamed of seeing.
I hope you’re ready for that, because let me just say, things are going to get interesting.
You’ll see it all, but luckily, you cannot unsee anything once you start seeing it.
That mask has been well and truly on for all this time, and suddenly, as it slips, you begin to wake up…
…What happens now?
I’ve got the answers for you, right here.
The Thing to Know About Narcissists…
Narcissists are so far removed from reality that you being onto them alone won’t be enough.
They won’t gather your suspicions and run with them because they’re so in their own head that they will fail to notice.
What really gets the narcissists attention is when you change. People do this after they’ve seen the narcissist’s true colors.
They start to act differently and they also treat the narcissist differently too.
What used to be a people pleaser has turned into a guarded, stronger character, and narcissists hate that.
They cannot stand somebody offering them a different version of themselves they’re used to.
You might present:
- In a way that stands your ground. You won’t budge just because the narcissist has demanded you do.
- You no longer do what they say. You won’t if they want you to stop talking to that person. It’s not up to them, after all.
- Your reality becomes clearer. All the times they have tricked you into confusion are now in the past.
- You begin to see the bigger picture opening up before you. All the abuse becomes clear.
When Narcissists Know You See Through Them
Narcissists will know you see through them as soon as you stop giving them what they need.
Remember, they crave everything good in you, but they steal it from you. Once taken, they will never return it, just continue to sap it from you.
Realizing you are not a maple tree, you awaken, and everything changes.
I mean everything.
You’re finally putting yourself in harm’s way no more, and the narcissist becomes frustrated.
The difference now is that they are no longer able to use the usual tricks to get a response from you.
The techniques they once had up their sleeve are going to be deemed useless if the person receiving them has their eyes wide open.
The frustration for them will become very real, very quickly
Caught in the Act: What Now For You?
When a narcissist realizes you’re onto them, it’s as if you’ve caught them in the act. You begin to understand that all the ways they would abuse or belittle you were nothing to do with you.
It was everything to do with them.
What does this mean for you?
It means you get your freedom back. It means you get to pull back the control they’ve taken from you over time.
What could be more liberating than knowing you have released yourself from this painted belief that you’re the problem?
It will be a great time for you to get to the other side of the abuse, and start to piece the puzzle together.
The narcissist won’t enjoy it – but hey – it’s not about them anymore!
How Narcissists Respond to Being Uncovered
Narcissists are initially so frustrated when you blow their cover. Realizing you’ve changed is never going to work for them, because they can’t undo what you’ve learned.
The narcissist will find it impossible to claw back the submissive person who did as they were told, and acted in a way that kept them in control.
Their mind will start to spin out as they watch you:
- Figure out their lies
- Understand their deceit
- Realize the extent they were gaslighted
- Watch them closely, making them undoubtedly uncomfortable
- Work on making your own self stronger again
Where the narcissist was once able to move people around and play them like a game of chess, the dynamics change completely.
All it takes to break the dynamics is one person figuring them out. It’s like pulling one card from a house of cards, and seeing it all fall down.
You are that card, and you have pulled yourself out of the equation.
Now comes the consequences.
How Narcissists Handle Being Found Out
It’s natural for a narcissist to feel on guard when they’re found out. They notice and sense the change, and they are now wondering how to make it all ‘normal’ for them again.
How they handle you finding out is quite interesting.
Anger
The narcissist is angry that now you are unreachable. You’ve checked out, and you’re nothing but disengaged to their tactics.
It’s like you were once a fire that has now burned out. No matter how many times they poke you, you’re not going to start up again.
This enrages them.
Denial
If you were to start speaking up about what you realize, you’d probably have a little fun watching them deny any wrongdoing and potentially even turn it around on you.
Narcissists deny through sheer panic. They don’t want to be found out, and they don’t want you to ruin the perfect image they’ve spent years building.
Narcissists deny when they have nowhere else to go. If you are showing them a version of themselves that’s far from ideal – they don’t want to see it. Even if it’s true, they don’t want to face seeing the ‘real’ them.
That’s the person they can’t stand.
Discard
So … Here it comes ….
The discard. You’re no good to them anymore. They don’t want you around. You’re useless.
Your supply has dried up. You know the real them. They can’t fool or trick you into believing their lies.
Your yesterday’s news, so any relationship is going to now be no relationship.
Once they’re through with you, the next aim is to find the next ‘you.’
Revenge
Sometimes, yes, the narcissist sees you as somebody who needs a little calculated revenge thrown their way.
For all the times you have rattled their cage and questioned their games – you now get the treatment.
The smear campaign.
It is not above the narcissist’s station to tell people what a troublemaker you are. How good you are at lying and the untrue rumors you spread about them.
The narcissist will be believed because they’re so good and manipulating situations in their favor.
You should consider it your punishment for daring to be onto the narcissist!
Are Narcissists Evil?
When you encounter a narcissist, your first thought isn’t going to be how evil they are.
Why would it be?
They’re charming. They’re attentive. They call you and want to see you. They promise you all kinds of crazy things.
The bait develops into a bite, and suddenly they’re reeling you in.
But… When does the evil show? Does it even exist?
In your own experience, can you tell me if you know any narcissists who are truly evil?
I hear you!
First Off…
Alright. I want you for a second to think about any of the narcissists you’ve previously encountered.
Get a clear image of them in your head (bleurgh…), and ask yourself:
Was this person ever nice?
You’ll answer yes. Because they were.
Over time and very gradually, narcissists move like tectonic plates around new people. They move so slowly, you don’t even feel like the ground below you is even moving.
You feel safe, secure, and loved. You’re happy, they pay you lots of compliments, and their absolutely encapsulating nature blindsides you.
Narcissistic Earthquake
Suddenly, the ground starts rumbling. You stop what you’re doing, confused at how unsteady everything below you feels.
You thought you were safe.
Now there are cracks in your foundation, and weaknesses in your structure.
The narcissist earthquake strikes.
Bad behavior.
Belittling.
Gaslighting.
Triangulation.
You feel isolated from loved ones.
Your confidence is plummeting.
Your self-esteem erases entirely.
It begins.
We rarely have time to ask that one important question in the midst of such a change to our previously steady worlds.
Am I in the presence of evil?
How Could Anybody Be So…
Right.
Well, it’s hard to imagine anybody having the ability to be so underhand: sly, crooked, unkind, egoistical, self-centered, dismissive, fragile.
When a narcissist is all of those things plus so much more, you can equate them to having a really evil undertone.
The conscience they don’t have when they manipulate you or others.
The way they enjoy creating and watching conflict unfold while maintaining it’s “nothing to do with them” cannot be anything short of such a thing.
Narcissists Look For A Certain Someone
Narcissists know who they are looking for. They don’t zone in on strong, self-assured characters they know they can’t break. Also people they avoid are the ones who know narcissism (perhaps those who have had that experience and can spot them).
They’re looking for a soft target. Somebody with the potential to forgive a thousand times. A person who always sees the good in others. An empathic soul, who can give the narcissist what they need.
Themselves.
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why does the narcissist only utilize their control and power over certain people?”
It’s because they know what they’re looking for. They have a list of criteria you must meet for them to feel you can provide something for them.
The Pick and Choose
When people come to me for advice about narcissists, they often say, “But they aren’t like this in front of anybody else.”
What I need you to understand about abusers is – they pick and choose their moods.
If a person can be overly, sickly sweet, nice to somebody in public, and then leave that event with you a different person – something’s up.
Underneath that swift change, there is intent—intent to appear nice to everybody else but to put all their toxicity into being alone with you. If a person is in control of that, they are in control of what they’re doing.
So much so, in fact, that it becomes nothing but a game to them. A way to use everyone they know as pawn pieces in their huge life game of chess.
How Can Destruction Not Be Evil?
Narcissists are known to pull entire families apart, simply because they can. They can seek out the scapegoat, ensure they’re isolated, and turn everybody else against them in a sheer act of toxic defiance.
They lose zero sleep at night worrying about you and how it has affected your mental wellbeing.
They wake up each morning, not quite knowing what will happen, but strong in their knowledge they will handle it.
Even Their Kids?!
Painfully, yes.
I personally cannot look at the children in my family without thinking about how precious they are, and how much they mean to us all.
I wouldn’t want any harm to come to them. Healthy families don’t. They love, cherish, teach, forgive, and nurture. Healthy parenting looks like encouraging growth and the ability to inspire.
Money = Love
Narcissistic parents see their children as extensions of themselves. They control in the same way they would anybody else. They love money and material objects. They neglect without warning, and chop and change their moods to suit themselves.
They ignite anxiety and uncertainty in their children, as young as you can imagine.
Narcissistic parents will walk all over their children to maintain their own innocence, and they don’t care how much they hurt them in the process.
In fact, if their child dares to speak up and say, “The things you say and do hurt my feelings,” they will be hung out to dry.
Ask yourself this…
I want to leave you with an open-ended question that I hope can go some way to help you understand the true evil nature of a narcissist.
How has the narcissist changed your life?
I ask this as a way to get you to think about all the ways their evil nature has trickled into areas of your life you didn’t think were possible.
Maybe they stopped you from getting that job.
Maybe they poke fun at the clothes you wear.
Are they behind the reason you no longer see that family member, or friend?
Have you become less confident since you’ve known them?
Do they make you feel nervous or on edge when you’re near them?
Are they the cause of much conflict?
True evil rarely comes at you so overtly. If it did, you’d hold your hands up and say, “Hey! Not today!” We don’t do this initially with a narcissist because they come at us with their cycle of abuse.
The love bombing.
The smiles and fake promises that we cling to.
Why? Because we’ve no reason to believe they are bad at all. We see the good.
Narcissists take root before you’ve even realized they’re narcissists. They grow slowly and, over time, begin to take over your entire character. They’re hard to get rid of, and the task can often feel overwhelming.
They’re dangerously evil.
They’re human Japanese Knotweed.