Recovering Me: Healing After Narcissistic Abuse

If you've ever found yourself in a toxic relationship with a narcissist, you may have felt confused, trapped, or emotionally drained. You might even ask yourself, “Why did this happen to me?” The reality is that narcissists are highly skilled at recognizing individuals who have a deep-seated desire to help, fix, or take care of others. People who fall into the “giver” or “fixer” categories are prime targets for narcissists because they can be manipulated to fulfill the narcissist's emotional and personal needs. Being a giver means you’re often selfless, compassionate, and always striving to make others feel loved and supported. You take pride in putting others first, believing that everyone deserves kindness, even when it isn’t returned. A fixer, on the other hand, believes it’s their job to heal or rescue people, especially those who appear broken or vulnerable. These personality traits are rooted in empathy, and while they are beautiful qualities in healthy relationships, the...

I used to think words were just words. Insults, criticism, even mockery—they’d sting for a moment, but then they’d fade, like bruises healing over time. I believed that words didn’t hold the kind of power that could affect me long-term. But as I look back now, I realize how naive I was. Words can linger. They don’t fade away like bruises; they sink deep into the soul, etching themselves onto the fabric of our identity. Words can be weaponized. And sometimes, the damage they cause doesn’t show up in obvious ways—it’s a slow burn, an invisible wound that scars you in ways that are hard to undo. The worst part? I didn’t even realize the depth of the pain until it was too late—until a narcissist used words to manipulate everyone around me, making me a stranger in my own life. “Words are free. It's how you use them that may cost you.” – Anonymous The Day the Lies Became My Reality I remember the moment when everything changed, but at the time, I didn’t fully understand what was hap...

I’ve been there. In the midst of a relationship that seemed perfect one moment, but the next left me questioning everything. The love and affection I received seemed endless, but so did the emotional pain. The inconsistencies in how I was treated—sometimes adored, sometimes discarded—were unsettling, yet I stayed. How did I get stuck in this cycle? How did they keep me coming back for more? In this blog, I’m going to take you through the cycle of manipulation narcissists use to keep their partners trapped. From love bombing to sudden cruelty, then pulling you back in with kindness, this emotional yo-yo can feel impossible to break free from. But understanding the tactics they use and how they play with your emotions is the first step toward escaping the web they’ve woven around you. The only way to break free from the cycle is to realize your worth and never settle for less than what you truly deserve. The Beginning: The Charisma and the Illusion It all started with him. The first t...