Number five, and this one is strange: they use scent as a psychological marker. Scent is one of the most powerful memory triggers. I can tell you that from personal experience. Narcissists know this and use it against you. They may have a signature cologne or perfume that lingers long after they’re gone. Maybe they insist on using a specific air freshener or scented candle—something that becomes associated with them.
So even when they’re not there, the scent activates something in your brain, making you feel like their presence is still in the room. After they leave for good, you might catch a whiff of that scent somewhere and feel a rush of emotions you weren’t prepared for. That is not an accident; this is conditioning. Just like Pavlov’s dogs, they train you to associate specific sensory triggers with them. Even after they’re gone, those triggers remain, making it harder for you to fully detach. But if you give yourself enough time and do the healing work, you can overcome those triggers and associate new meanings with old smells.
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