What happens when you figure out they’re a narcissist
And how you can handle the crashing fallout that comes next.
by: E.B. Johnson
We talk a lot about narcissists. Are they a narcissist? Are they not a narcissist? What are the signs of narcissism? We don’t spend as much time talking about the major reality-shift (and heartbreak) that comes with realizing you’ve invested all your time and energy into someone who will never truly appreciate it. Have you come to terms with the fact that you’re living with someone who can only love themselves? Are you recently escaping a narcissistic family tie? It’s a process — not unlike grief — that we have to give ourselves time (and understanding) to get through.
What happens when you realize they’re a narcissist.
Realizing that someone you love is a narcissist is a big first step all on its own. And it’s one that not everyone takes. Waking up hurts. It affects your self-esteem, it can destroy a number of relationships, and it forces us to change ourselves in several ways. It’s not simply a matter of waking up and moving on. You must understand the complex and nuanced emotions you’re experiencing.
