Narcissists are all about habits, and some are far more silly than others!

Believe it or not, the average narcissist is silently and constantly begging to look smart.

They desire to be the most intelligent in the room, and will do anything to fit that mold.

What does that mean for you, the bystander? It can be hilarious to watch them try and fill ‘big boy shoes.’ 

Narcissists think they look smart when they do these 8 things, but they actually make themselves look even sillier!

Narcissists Try So Hard…

I mean, come on. Shall we throw them just a little pity party here for a minute?

You get the streamers, I’ll get the root beer.

Narcissists really do try so hard to look smart. And yeah sure, there are some people out there who fall for it. They buy it. They believe everything that comes out of their mouths. 

Narcissists unbelievably are on occasion seen as ones to look up to.

Wow. You really know your stuff. You know everything there is to know about it. 

I never thought of that. You’re so clever.

Hey, you should ask (the narcissist). They are so knowledgeable and helpful.

It’s the image they want. They have to have people thinking this about them. It acts as validation.

“They say I’m smart, so there!”

The Perfect Person – NOT!

Okay. Stop pouring the root beer. 

Put your streamers down.

Turn the music off.

The party’s over.

Narcissists aren’t perfect. 

No matter how hard they try, they are never going to be smart.

Smart to them is yet another acting part they play that they can add to their resumé, but that doesn’t mean they can’t form habits to keep the smart spirit alive. 

So… what are those habits?

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8 Silly Habits Narcissists Believe Make Them Look Smart

#1 When They Constantly Interrupt Conversations

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that listening is both an art, and at the very least – respectful!

Conversations are supposed to be two-way. One person shares something, and the other listens then responds.

It isn’t about one person in particular, it is a shared time for both to connect or catch up.

Narcissists don’t like to connect. They don’t like to share. They don’t like to listen. So what part of a conversation do they see themselves being a part of?

None of it. To them, somebody talking is dull, and they can’t wait for a pause in words, or a segway into a topic they want to branch into.

Commanding a conversation might make them think they are coming across as intelligent…

…But it doesn’t. It’s downright rude. You’d think they would realize this, but that would involve a little self-awareness. Let’s be honest – that is non-existent in all narcissists!

#2 Feeling They ‘Authentically Criticize’

I was just trying to help!

You said to be honest with you, so I was.

I don’t want to sound rude, but you said to tell you if ever I thought you were overdressed for an occasion. I think you really do right now. 

I’m saying it from the kindness of my heart.

All the ways the narcissist criticizes while trying to make it sounds like they’re doing you a favor is really poor.

I mean – it’s really poor, guys.

Looking as though they remembered a time you asked them to speak up, or if they’re trying to knock you down by openly being cruel is not how one either possesses or exudes smartness. 

#3 “Listen to My Grand Story and All My Experience”

Here we go again. Cue the rolling eyes of others as the narcissist tells us yet again how wonderful that vacation was, or what they learned on that course.

Several years ago, I had a client who had a sister-in-law who was a hairdresser. She couldn’t wait to use her knowledge on my client’s hair. 

You should do this. I know because I did a two-week course in Paris. It’ll look fantastic. 

Why don’t you just grow it out? You’re too busy for such a high maintenance hairstyle. 

Narcissists never look smart here – they simply just look like know-it-alls. 

It’s not attractive, and it only makes them look clever in front of their latest audience.

#4 Always The Opinion

Opinions are fine, we all have them, don’t we?

The difference with a narcissist is that they think their opinions are facts, and that everybody else’s are obsolete. 

So they drop their opinions and splash them everywhere you can see them. They will snap up any opportunity to launch them at another.

Nobody with a strong opinion that turns the air sour is smart. The smart thing to do would be to share what you think, and have healthy debates. 

Something narcissists won’t do. 

#5 Name Drop…

Oh, we go way back!

I know them well, they owe me a favor.

Let me speak to them, I have contacts.

It’s like that one time I met them, they were super nice!

Yawn. You’re so smart if you know those high-flying people you claim to. It must mean you’re an extra-valued member of society.

You know, it’s not attractive to name drop constantly.

Narcissists who do want to be seen to be on a par with these important people, which is why they love so much to do it. 

#6 Discrediting The Ideas of Others

No, that won’t work.

We tried it before, it wasn’t successful.

Of course, I know you’re trying your best but this isn’t really in your league.

I think it was worth giving it a go, but there’s so much you don’t know.

I can do a much more efficient job. 

Everytime a narcissist discredits somebody, they’re making them look bad on purpose.

And there will likely be on real reason to, other than for their own light to shine that little bit brighter. 

This doesn’t make them look smart, especially with the pressure being on them to keep to their word of being the better choice!

#7 Credit Taken For Their Work

Thieves come in all different shapes and sizes, and this time they come in the most overt, sneaky fashion. 

Narcissists who claim another’s work if it’s impressive enough will one day meet their Karma. 

It’s possible for narcissist’s in these situations to get in over their head and find themselves biting off more than they can chew.

Suddenly their cleverness rating nose dives.

#8 Competition Time!

Everything has to be a competition according to the narcissist. Beating people at their own games, coming out on top, and having the best of the best is the only way they know how to play.

I know everything!

I can do that better than anybody else!

Okay… prove it.

Not so smart now, are you?!

5 Fears Narcissists Hide From You

Before we get started, I want you to know that narcissists don’t walk around openly fearing everything.

If they did – they wouldn’t be able to live with themselves.

A big ‘however’ coming up…

However…

Narcissists still fear. They fear, and they loathe, and they hide it all.

Why do they hide it all, Alexander?

Okay. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about narcissists, it’s that they have to hide what they cannot allow anybody to see.

Let me explain a little more deeply…

Narcissists on the Outside

There is a huge bubble of ego around the outside of the narcissist. This ego appears unbreakable but weaker than it looks by far. 

Once you get past that bubble, you’ll see a person living in constant fear. Hard to believe when they’re so tough and full of bravado on the outside, I know.

The trouble is, they’re even more terrified than you could ever imagine, and it’s all because they can’t stand showing it to the world.

They don’t want to, and they won’t. 

As Fragile as Can Be

The fragility of a narcissist is never up for debate. It’s there, and it holds onto their fears far more than you’d imagine.

Narcissists feel shame surrounding their fears, which to me just seems incomprehensible. It’s human nature to be scared sometimes, or to fear something huge happening in your life.

People can be known to sidestep something, just so they don’t have to face their fears.

Narcissists won’t admit what they fear secretly, so you never know when they’re doing that sidestepping. 

Why Hide?

Well, simply put, it’s better to hide and pretend to be strong than to expose and reveal weakness. 

The narcissist lives by their sword, and will die by their sword. Expect nothing else. 

The Fears of the Narcissist – 5 Fears They Hide From You

Buckle up – because these fears are all designed to expose the narcissist’s real character.

#1 Failure

Narcissists hate failure. They hate failing, and they hate you failing.

Failing to please them.

Failing to give them any attention.

Failing an exam.

They will remind you of your failures for a long time because they love you to know that you can’t do it all and aren’t perfect like them. 

When a narcissist fails – it’s the end of the world. You know, sometimes they do. They don’t get the job they wanted, or they don’t pass that test. 

They will act like it doesn’t matter, or that it was the fault of the person interviewing or testing them, but in reality, they’re terrified.

They fear why they lost, and the idea that they didn’t do or say something right in order to get over that line of success.

They fear it so badly because they fear not appearing or being good enough. It’s why they constantly overcompensate by always trying to be the best of the best.

If everybody sees that version of them, nobody would be able to get close to those inner fears, right?

#2 Being Outed as a Narcissist

Being outed as a narcissist is a huge fear for them. 

I want to start by saying that there will always be a way out for them. If they’re accused of the very thing they are, they will blame you, smear your name to others; punish you in as many ways as possible. 

Denial is their middle name.

However…

…Everything changes for the narcissist as soon as you figure out the person they truly are. When you uncover their moods and begin to stand up to their unforgiving behavior, you are letting them know one thing:

You know. And nothing is going to be the same from now on.

What does that look like to the narcissist?

Well, nothing being the same means the narcissist can no longer manipulate you.

They were used to pushing and pulling you like the tide. Their control over you became something you begrudged them over time, but it was something you learned to silently accept. 

I’ve lost count of the amount of people who have told me that as soon as they outed the narcissist in their life, nothing was the same again.

The narcissist fears this. They have a unique system, and the supply they need from others is drawn from certain people at certain times. It’s how they function, and they get used to that. 

Their fear is having all of that stripped from them. They fear that dynamics will shift because they don’t know where or how they’ll be able to replace it.

#3 Rejection

Narcissists live the kind of life that you would assume has zero room for fear. They exude confidence (too much most of the time).

They love to show off and brag about what they have, where they’re going on vacation, how much this or that cost…

Narcissists love to be accepted. They want to feel part of something so that eventually, they can dominate. If they can get a foot in the door, the rest is history.

Rejection does happen to narcissists. When it does, you see a side of them that you never thought you’d see. They can cover up their fear with anger, or rage, or even laugh it off like it means nothing.

Only you, the narcissist expert, can tell something has annoyed them. 

The fear of rejection comes from the innate entitlement that they must have everything.

They have to succeed, they have to be loved and admired by everybody, and nobody can let them down or reject them.

If they do, it will only fuel their inner fires of insecurity—and believe me, that fire is huge. 

#4 Losing

If a narcissist loses, you will see a spoiled child appear before you. They can throw tantrums, they can go off sulking, they can ignore you. 

When they do, it isn’t because they are simply’ a little immature.’ It’s so much more.

This is about their perfect image being shattered, especially in front of others. They may be getting laughed at or mocked when usually they do it to everybody else. 

When the shoe is on the other foot, they fear that the perfection they portray will be seen as nothing but an illusion. 

#5 You Leaving

If you leave, what does that tell the narcissist?

It tells you that you’re strong enough to walk away. It gives the message that you refuse to be caught up in this cycle of abuse a moment longer. It also tells them that you don’t want to be with them.

And that?

Well, that is seen as a huge worry for them. They almost fear your lack of supply as much as you being okay without them. If the one person who said they loved them doesn’t need them, then what hope is there?

Of course, they will never tell you they fear you leaving. The bravado will paint quite the opposite picture.

But when you do … you’ll know about it. 

What Eventually Happens To Narcissists?

How Does it End For Narcissists?

Narcissists are like a really painful, long book that you have to read to understand. They don’t come with an index or bullet points. If they did, half their toxicity would fall through the cracks.

Sadly, people like you or I must experience them fully before we know each trick.

If I can offer you one fragment of light at the end of this treacherous tunnel – it’s this:

What happens to narcissists is an ending that you’re going to want to hang on for.

Let’s get into it.

“Look At Them!”

It’s enough to make you sick, isn’t it?

They live their merry little lives, seemingly getting away with anything and everything, making you want to scream from the rooftops.

Yes – it’s unfair. 

You wish they would just crumble and fall down, so you could finally see them suffer as much as they made you suffer. 

You want what happens to them to be detrimental to everything they pretend to be. 

Does The Tide Ever Turn?

What do you think? I mean, I want to be able to tell you that they do indeed turn honestly.

I also know and appreciate how it really doesn’t feel that way at the time. Constantly waiting for them to taste their own medicine can feel like waiting for rain in a drought.

But I am here to say that, yes, eventually, that rain will come.

And it will feel amazing.

The Beauty of Karma

I don’t like to meddle with Karma. Instead, I trust that everything will work exactly how it should.

Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. The circle of life appreciates both good and bad happenings, and I am certain that includes narcissists and how they treat others. 

Karma doesn’t need you stepping in and taking over, so if you ever try to gain justice from a situation involving a narcissist, you’re likely to lose. 

Rather than that – it’s nothing but a waiting game. 

But a game you’ll definitely not want to quit.

How Does It End For Them?

No narcissist has a really happy ending. 

Ultimately, they go home alone every day, even if they go home to somebody. 

Narcissists always want to be part of something, yet never feel part of anything. It’s all empty. It’s all meaningless. They don’t have layers to them or an ounce of appreciation for their family or friends. 

That alone should tell you how it ends for every narcissist. 

They’re nothing but lonely people craving some kind of something. 

That is something they never end up getting.

#1 The Slipping of the Mask

You may have to wait a while, but the mask of a narcissist will always, I repeat, always slip off.

I know you think it can’t happen soon enough, and many of you will be screaming for it to be today—but it doesn’t work that way.

In fact, the more you try to rush the mask’s slipping, the crazier you will look.

If you want to allow their true selves to unfold naturally, you’ll have to wait for the day.

#2 Inability to Keep Up With Their Lies

We all know that lying can lead to serious trouble. Not only do you have to remember this, but you may also have to build potential lies around it so they make sense. 

Narcissists are great at lying, but they can do it so frequently that they fail to recall them all.

When you see a narcissist caught in a lie trap, they will fluff and fumble their way out as best they can with the charm they were born with. 

I want to remind you, though – the lies do catch up with them eventually.

Lies catch up with everybody. 

#3 One Small Mistake

This is all it takes, believe me. One tiny little slip up to get people talking is all it takes. 

I once knew a narcissist professionally who never took any accountability for his mistakes.

He used to cover up all his mistakes, blaming others or deleting evidence that he was responsible. 

One day, he was caught in the act. He had no defense, and even though he got really angry and tried to blame somebody else, it was clear he was to blame. 

His mistake was leaving his work pass in the room where he shredded all the information he wanted to discard. 

It’s all it took for the dominos to all fall down, and for the past to come together like a jigsaw puzzle. People saw what he was like, and nobody trusted him again. 

#4 Time Will Tell

You’re all familiar with the saying, ‘Time will heal.’ It helps if you are going through hard times or have lost somebody close to you. 

Time also heals your own heart as it allows narcissists to be revealed for who they really are.

As much as it will cause chaos, it will be healing to be validated by the entire event. 

It’s how so many victims breathe a sigh of relief and say, “Thank goodness everybody can now see them for who they truly are.”

Time will give you that. You just have to wait for it. 

#5 They Won’t Hesitate To Move!

Narcissists are renowned for moving. 

To start again, if things get too heated where they live,

Looking for work in a new city or town for a ‘fresh start.’

Usually, when they run everybody else down or play them all in their games, they run out of people.

They run out of supply.

So what do they do?

They run away.

It won’t end there, though. Moving anywhere new only restarts the whole process.

Narcissists, for that reason, never really admit to having somewhere to call home.

#6 New Friends

Of course, moving anywhere means starting up a new friendship circle. People will mingle and meet with everybody, as all new people are considered to be fresh pawns in their game. 

Friends end up being enemies before long…

In The End

You can wait and wait, but eventually, the narcissist will get their comeuppance.

In one way or another, whether being found out, having their mask slip, or having to keep bouncing from town to city to stay relevant or liked.

Please allow that to be the justice you need, because it is.

Narcissists will always be miserable. They hate being stuck or figured out, so they must constantly work out their plan to keep their true selves a secret.

Isn’t that the end you want to hear about?

I know it is for me.