Narcissists tend to be liars and pretend they aren’t who they are

When a narcissist realizes they have no power over you, they are humiliated. The mere fact that you don’t react to their actions shows that you can read them well. You couldn’t care less about what they are up to; they don’t even somewhat matter to you. You find them nothing interesting or motivating. The fewer resources they have to work with, the less likely they are to make repeated attempts to annoy, trouble, or harm you. When you aren’t paying attention to them, they can’t play the games that keep them thrilled. Don’t pay any attention to a narcissist, as they’ll take any attention at all—positive or negative. Just sit tight, and everything will work out.

Third, setting clear and confident boundaries will serve as a big wall for a narcissist. Narcissists often believe that they are entitled to more than they are. They won’t understand, but you will. The word “no” can stand alone as a complete sentence. “I’ll think about it,” “I’ll get back to you,” or saying you need time to think are healthy, mature, and responsible ways to respond to a narcissist’s requests, demands, and expectations. Don’t succumb to the pressures of guilt, shame, or any other form of bullying. It’s important that what you say and mean are congruent.

It’s easy to lose credibility when you don’t do what you say you’ll do. A healthy population will abide by your rules; they’ll be grateful that you made it clear when it’s time to set limits or enforce boundaries. The opposite is true for narcissists. If they don’t give up quickly and move on, your boundaries should be firmer and clearer. It would also help if you learned how to defend yourself, both emotionally and physically.

Fourth, always improve your self-esteem. It’s much easier to stand up to name-calling, lies, and a smear campaign if you know who you are and have a positive self-image. Reconnect with the love you feel for yourself, your family, and your past. In other words, you’re not as attracted to manipulative and bullying people because they lack empathy. Put in your time.

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