Search Results: control

I grew up with a narcissistic father and later spent five years married to a narcissistic partner. After living through that, I can recognize those patterns instantly. I’ve learned how their dynamics work — what to avoid saying, how to respond, and even how tone and body language can shift the interaction. Their tactics are sophisticated, and surviving them taught me a lot about how to protect myself.

I don’t use those skills to control people, and honestly, the idea of having that kind of influence makes me uneasy. But when I realize I’m dealing with someone who’s using manipulative behavior, I know how to hold my ground and not get pulled into their games. It’s empowering to know I’m no longer an easy target, even if the whole thing feels complicated at times.

A close friend of mine, who works in mental health and also has NPD, once gave me the best advice: “Stop oversharing and start listening.” It changed everything about how I navigate these interactions.

In a way, spending so much of my life around narcissistic personalities taught me how to mirror some of their strategies when I absolutely need to — but only as a form of self‑protection, not as a way of living.

I’m not someone who wants to make my parents worried but I think they’re easily worried sick. So I think lying to them by telling them I’m going to New Zealand when the truth is I’m going to Fiji for 5 days 4 nights. I don’t understand why my parents are so against me going to Paris which lead to me being forced to canceled my trip. This time I’m not gonna let them stop me I will just lie to them I’m going to NZ as a way to not let them have control over me but I have one thing to ask is Fiji safe for solo female travellers? I don’t want to end up get attacked there and I don’t want to end up regretting my trip so I’m just clarifying if it’s really that safe. Any tips and advice? Thank you.