The path to recovery from this involves building trust in yourself again. You need to reconnect with who you are, set boundaries, and protect yourself from people who drain you. This process can be challenging, but it’s crucial to your well-being. Relearning who you are outside of the narcissist’s influence is empowering, and it restores the confidence they may have taken away.
In the aftermath, many people find it difficult to empathize with others as they once did. Narcissistic abuse can desensitize you, leaving you guarded and protective of yourself. It’s as if you’re in survival mode, focused on keeping yourself safe from further harm. This may mean keeping people at arm’s length, and that’s okay. Rebuilding your ability to connect with others will come in time, and as you learn to trust yourself, you’ll regain the empathy that’s authentic to who you are.
All of these feelings—confusion, guilt, self-doubt—are valid, and they are part of the healing journey. You may have experienced a loss of self, but you’re still here, capable of rebuilding and becoming even stronger. Once you have the language to understand your feelings and what you’ve gone through, it’s easier to start moving forward.
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