The One Thing That Finally Made Me Walk Away From a Narcissist
The Beginning Felt Like a Fairytale
Like most narcissistic relationships, it started like a dream.
They were charming. Intense. They said all the right things. They made me feel seen in a way no one else had before. Within weeks, I felt like I’d known them my whole life.
It was intoxicating—and it was by design.
They mirrored my values. Admired my passions. Told me I was special. Made me feel like I was chosen.
But slowly, the dream started to fray.
- The compliments turned into criticism.
- The jokes had sharp edges.
- The “connection” felt more like surveillance.
And every time I tried to speak up, they twisted the narrative.
“You’re too sensitive.”
“You always take things the wrong way.”
“This is why I don’t open up to people.”
I started to question myself more than I questioned them.
Why I Stayed So Long
I stayed because they weren’t always cruel.
They could still be funny. Affectionate. Attentive. Every now and then, I’d catch a glimpse of the person they were in the beginning. And I’d think:
“See? They’re still in there. I just need to be patient.”
I stayed because I believed their pain. They told me about their traumatic childhood. Their toxic exes. Their abandonment wounds. And I thought maybe, just maybe, if I loved them the right way, they would finally feel safe—and stop hurting me.
I stayed because they made me believe I was the problem.
And that belief kept me trapped longer than I care to admit.
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