Narcissists. We all know them for who they really are. We’ve all been in a relationship with one. If not in a relationship, then we’ve definitely been in the company of one.
Narcissists seem like some of the most charming people on Earth. At first sight, they are one of the nicest people to be around. Always there to lend you a hand. Always there to help you out. Happy to be there for you. Happy to give you a piece of advice. They are the ones who would literally do anything to get under your skin. And what’s even scarier is that they do. They succeed in their missions. You may not notice it in the beginning, but they do get under your skin, even if it takes them a while…
The thing that helps them get what they want is their ability to deceive people. You see, they are the kinds of people who are really good at playing games. They are the masters of manipulation. That is the only reason they seem so nice when you first meet them. Because the way for them to get to you is through your heart. Through your emotions. Once they know you and know the way you express your feelings, they hold the power. And once they get you inside their web of lies, well, then… It is all over. That’s when they gain total control over you and start to take advantage of everything you’ve given them. Your kindness. Your selfishness. Your life. Your love.
That is when their masks finally fall off and you start to see them for who they really are. You start to notice the red flags that were flashing brightly before your eyes. You start to see the sharp edges. You start to see their flaws. Everything that once attracted you to them, is suddenly a threat. Everything that you once liked about them is no longer there. They are not the same person. They are someone else. Someone you no longer recognize. Someone that is no longer wants to help you, but trick you.
And then it happens. They hurt you. They hurt you in the worst possible way that you’ve imagined and you feel betrayed. They lie to you in your face and you can feel it. They treat you like trash and there is nothing you can do about it. Because deep down, you feel that the fault is yours. Deep down, you are convinced that the reason they are treating you this way is that you haven’t been enough for them. You haven’t been the person they needed you to be.
But that’s not truth, and somewhere deep down inside your soul, you know it. Only you are too afraid to admit it. You are too terrified to accept it.
Narcissists have a way of distorting the truth in a way that would make you feel like you are the one to blame for everything that is happening to you. There’s a word for that and it’s called gaslighting. In translation, forcing a person to doubt their sanity. Playing with someone’s mind. Manipulating them until they can’t tell the difference between reality and fantasy.
Remember, you are not the one to blame, even though they make you feel that way. You are not the only one responsible for the mess you are in. And you don’t deserve all this. You don’t deserve to be treated like trash. You don’t deserve to be taken for granted. You don’t deserve to go to sleep with tears in your eyes. You don’t deserve to suffer.
