SURVIVING NARCISSISM
But if your brother's(or any relation's) presence consistently:
- Undermines your self-esteem with belittlement, manipulation, or lies,
- Violates your boundaries and disregards your needs and feelings,
- Causes you stress through guilt trips, drama, or emotional abuse, and
- Endangers your physical safety through threats, violence, or neglect
HOW TO SURVIVE NARCISSISM:
1. Learn About Narcissistic Behavior to Better Understand Your Brother’s/Mother's Actions
Reading up on narcissistic personality disorder can be like cracking the code to their manipulation.
When I did this, I learned how my mom’s need for control, lack of empathy, and tendency to enable drama are textbook characteristics, not personal attacks.
It isn’t a free pass for her actions, but it shifted my perspective.
2. Keep Your Mindset Healthy and Strong
Throughout my own journey, I learned that a strong #mindset was the key to not only surviving but thriving.
It began with practicing self-compassion and self-worth, counteracting the negative beliefs instilled by my brother's/parent’s constant belittling.
3. Don’t Take His Actions Personally
Your brother’s behavior is a reflection of his own issues and insecurities, not a commentary on your worth or character.
Understand that his actions are driven by his narcissistic tendencies, and not a judgment of your value.
4. Don’t Bother Arguing With Him, Save Your Energy
Engaging in arguments with a narcissistic brother can be draining and counterproductive. They often thrive on conflict and manipulation.
Save your energy by refusing to get caught up in fruitless disputes. Instead, calmly assert your boundaries, disengage when necessary, and focus on maintaining your emotional well-being.
When you avoid unnecessary arguments, you retain your energy and avoid being manipulated into confrontations that are unlikely to lead to any resolution or understanding.
5. Don’t Let Them Put You Down, Tune Out the Toxic Noises
Dealing with a narcissistic family member means contending with their insatiable need for admiration and strong feelings of entitlement.
Recognize their attempts to put you down and choose not to dance to that toxic beat. Your worth isn’t defined by their distorted views.
Recognize that his behavior is a reflection of his issues, and your efforts are better spent on self-care and emotional well-being.
6. Is cutting ties with your narcissistic brother ever a recommended course of action?
Going no contact with a narcissistic brother can be a last resort if the relationship is severely toxic and detrimental to your mental health. It’s a highly personal decision and not one to be taken lightly.
But how do you know when enough is enough?
For me, the time came when the gaslighting became a constant, drowning out any semblance of #peace.
It was a pivotal moment, a realization that my well-being deserved more than the incessant toxicity.
Crafting my exit plan became not just a strategy but a lifeline. It was an empowering decision to break free from the emotional shackles and reclaim control over my narrative
7. Be Prepared for Negative Reactions From Your Father or Others
When I cut off my narcissistic mother, she threw tantrums and guilt trips and even tried to manipulate others to turn against me.
After all, they said, “Blood is thicker than water, right?” Well, sometimes, the chosen family is the strongest bond.
Family dynamics can be messy, and not everyone will understand your decision.
Prepare for some raised eyebrows, awkward conversations, and maybe a few flying feathers (metaphorically, of course).
But stay strong, remember your “why,” and surround yourself with people who celebrate your boundaries.
8. Cultivate Financial, Emotional, and Social Independence From Your Mother/Brother or any Toxic Relation
Breaking free from a narcissistic father/mother/brother etc often means severing the ties that bind you, not just emotionally but also in other aspects.
You don’t need his/her approval or admiration to feel worthy.
So, find ways to stop being dependent on your father/mother/toxic relation for anything, be it emotionally, financially, or socially.
He/she will just use these to manipulate you and control every aspect of your life.
9. When Should You Consider Cutting Ties From Your Narcissist Family?
Consider cutting ties with your narcissistic family when efforts to maintain a relationship prove consistently futile and the toll of narcissistic abuse jeopardizes your mental health.
Sometimes, their love is conditional and hinges on toxic dynamics. That’s when cutting ties becomes a valid choice for finding peace and prioritizing your well-being.
10. See a therapist and also learn from someone who has experienced & survived first-hand this sort of heinous torment so you can live aware and save yourself from trauma, suffering, physical violence, emotional health liquidation, mental health ruination, hypertension, strokes, destruction and even death!
#Trauma #Abuse #SelfAbsorption #SelfCentredness #Selfishness #Jealousy #Envy #Hate #Bigotry #Psychopathy #Narcissism #Narcissists #Sadism #Egoism #Selfishness #Spitefulness #Toxicity #Wars
#Empathy #Compassion #Kindness #Love #Peace
#GenuineConnection #Awareness #Freedom #Children #Parenting #Fatherhood #Motherhood #Family #Marriages #Growth #Change #Life #World
[Part 3 of 3]
an extremely self-centered person who has an exaggerated sense of self-importance
Michael Clifford Carter 