Narcissistic Relationships: 7 Red Flags You Shouldn't Ignore
If you have a narcissistic parent or ex, this is for you!
Narcissistic Relationship Relationship Red Flags
We've all had that one (or more!) relationship that drained the life out of us faster than a vampire at a blood bank. If you find yourself in a toxic tug-of-war with someone in your life, it might be time to consider a relationship detox.
Let’s play a little game of "Spot the Drama" with these common warning signs:
1. They Thrive on Chaos, Confusion and Control:
Is your partner, parent or co-worker the master manipulator? Do they create chaos and confusion to control you and other people? If someone in your life is impacting your world this way, they are likely toxic and the insanity will create doubt, confusion and anxiety in us. Set FIRM boundaries to keep yourself sane!
2. Lack of Trust in YOU:
Trust is the foundation, not a jigsaw puzzle missing half its pieces. If they constantly question your opinion, your feelings, your experience or your viewpoint making you feel wrong - they aren’t trustworthy and they are showing you their true colors.
3. Justifying the Unjustifiable:
Do you find yourself moonlighting as a lawyer, explaining away your partner's or your parent’s bad behavior to your friends and family? If that relationship needs a PR campaign, it might be time to reevaluate and realize they alone are responsible for their actions - NOT YOU.
4. There’s No Excuse for Abuse:
Let's get one thing straight – any form of abuse is a hard pass. If your partner or parent treats you like a verbal punching bag, it's time to exit stage left. No one has the right to demean, criticize or name-call no matter how angry or traumatized they are. Take a stand and leave the room when this happens and seek out a professional who can help you navigate this if you feel unsafe.
5. Passive-Aggressive Olympics:
Does your partner or parent have a gold medal in forgetfulness or excuses? Do they say things in a demeaning way only to make you feel powerless and confused? Do their words and actions contradict each other? You my friend are likely dealing with a toxic person who isn’t able to communicate their true feelings in a healthy way without drama involved.
6. Changing Facts and Lying:
This needs little explanation. Does your partner or parent lie to you or change facts to fit their agenda? This is gaslighting and form of psychological abuse. If someone in your life is gaslighting you, it is time to set serious boundaries and distance yourself to protect your sanity, sense of self and confidence because your experience is valid, period.
7. Scorecard Shenanigans:
Are you constantly reminded of your past mistakes like it's a greatest hits album? If your partner or parent thinks keeping score in the relationship is a sport, it's time to retire from this game and refuse to be treated this way. Healthy relationships don’t use the past as an excuse to hurt you in the future. This is a major red flag.
Spoiler Alert: There are no winners and losers in healthy relationships.
If you're stuck in a toxic tango and would like support to break free, set up a free strategy session. Life's too short for toxic relationships, and let's face it, you're not auditioning for a reality show. Take care of yourself, you deserve better!
Hi! I’m Evelyn Rae, I’m here to help you heal from narcissistic relationships, break the cycle of codependency and unleash your inner bad-ass. If you are ready to heal and transform your life - let’s chat!
The power to heal lies within you, let’s unleash it together:)