When we get out of relationships with narcissists, we are sometimes hard on ourselves about how we could have let ourselves get involved in the relationships or why we stayed for so long.
In addition, others outside the relationship who have never been involved with a narcissist may believe that there was something about us that attracted the narcissist.
It turns out that they are right. It may not be quite what they expect, however.
Narcissists have a strong need for admiration and adoration. They also have fragile egos and when the people around them have differing opinions, they often view this as criticism and seek to punish those who dare to disagree. In addition, they value appearances and boast about success, even riding on the coattails of the successes of others. Their self-perceived superiority makes them feel entitled to associate with anyone and anything that makes them appear to be the most important person in the room because they feel they must have the best of everything.
As a result, there are certain qualities that are highly desirable to narcissists in their partners.
Many of those qualities are probably the same ones that our friends and family members value in us. Narcissists, however, unfortunately knew exactly how to exploit those qualities to their advantage.
- We tend to be caretakers. Narcissists seek out people who are known as “givers.” If the relationship is not quite 50/50, the narcissist is betting that partners who have a natural tendency to take care of others will not complain, as they get pleasure out of being naturally self-sacrificing. He used to tell me all the time what a “caring” person he thought I was and how he loved me “because you take care of me.” Yet narcissists don’t view this behavior as a special gift to treasure and be thankful for. They feel entitled to it because of how “exceptional” they are. In fact, as far as they are concerned, it is a 50/50 relationship because their partner is lucky to be in a relationship with them. What is there to feel grateful about?
- We tend to be empathetic and forgiving. Narcissists lack emotional empathy, however, they seek out people who have a higher degree of it than normal, sometimes referred to as empaths. Narcissists often relay sob stories about how their exes cheated on them or otherwise mistreated them, or they have other tales of woe about things that have happened to them in their past. There is nothing wrong with sharing information about yourself as you get to know someone, however, narcissists do this strategically or even make these things up to get empaths to drop their guards early. Then when the narcissist blames his or her bad behavior on things that have happened in the past– unfaithful exes, horrible childhoods, lost jobs– we are likely to excuse the behavior and give them another chance.
- We tend to have a lot going for us. Narcissists are big on status. They want to look good in front of others at all times. Therefore, the people they bring into their social circles to represent them must make them look good in some way. Somatic narcissists are obsessed with their bodies, youth and external appearance, spending a lot of time at the gym and in front of mirrors. They tend to focus on how their partner looks physically and how the two of them will be seen out and about as a “sexy couple.” Cerebral narcissists are the know-it-alls and think of themselves as the most intelligent ones in the room, trying to impress people with their accomplishments and positions of power. They would be interested in their partner’s social and educational status. Neither wants to be outshined by their partner, but they do want someone around who enhances their status because, to them, their partners are objects they can show off as if to say, “look what I just obtained for my collection.”
- We are generally easygoing. Narcissists have a strong need to “win” and be right. They expect and feel entitled to “obedience” from the people around them, regarding their wishes and rigid views. They may use coercion, cajoling, or any number of tactics to get their way, but we are more interested in harmony than in making sure our opinion comes out on top or that our will is done. We will drop a subject or go with the flow and can be the natural peacemakers of any group. For narcissists, we offer the perfect opportunity to reign supreme, as we will rarely challenge his or her worldview. When the gaslighting begins, it goes against our nature to start asking questions because it will cause conflict.
- We have good hearts and are always looking for the best in other people. Narcissists need to target people who believe others are essentially good. This makes it very difficult for us to leave when the narcissists say they can change, because we project our goodness onto them. Accepting what really happened in the relationship essentially means that we have to reject our own worldview and replace it with a new one in which not everyone has the same heart that we do. It can be a painful and difficult realization to have to face that some people deliberately set out to harm and exploit others.
Narcissists do also take advantage of our individual weaknesses as well, and that’s definitely something we need to think more about to make sure we don’t get in this situation again.
What gets lost in all the aftermath, however, is that this unique blend of positive traits was just as attractive to the narcissist, if not more so, than any individual weakness we may have had. These strengths were manipulated just as heavily as any of our shortcomings. We need to learn how to protect these positive qualities, not change them.
And we’ve got to stop beating ourselves up and believing we are flawed people. That’s just the narcissist talking. Blah blah blah.
Remember– if we were as flawed as they tried to make us believe, we wouldn’t have been chosen in the first place. Narcissists only want the best.
A version of this article also published on Thought Catalog.
7 Comments
Brittany
Thank you Kristen. I can’t tell you how your blogs have helped me tremendously. My feelings for my narcissist/con artist has passed. Everything you said in each post was directly related to my 2 years of hell. I’m definitely a different person now and I miss the old me. I’m still being harassed and manipulated by my ex. He tracks my every move and calls me from different numbers pretending to be someone else. I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t cate anymore because I’m hoping it will get old after awhile. It’s his manipulation tactics that he is trying to get me to call him. He is blocked completely so I hope it gets better son. My eyes are wide open thanks to you. I really thought I was the one losing it.
Anaida
Very well explained points.
It all makes sense when the fog clears…
personaldevelopment154667253
“Remember– if we were as flawed as they tried to make us believe, we wouldn’t have been chosen in the first place. Narcissists only want the best.”
Very well said, Kristen.
The truth is narcissists are drawn to people who have the very qualities they lack such as a genuine capacity to see the good in others. By manipulating and taking advantage of our goodness, they steal our innocence. As you said,
“Accepting what really happened in the relationship essentially means that we have to reject our own worldview and replace it with a new one in which not everyone has the same heart that we do. It can be a painful and difficult realization to have to face that some people deliberately set out to harm and exploit others.” That is where I am in my recovery, and I am finding it difficult.
Thank you, Kristen, for sharing your writings and insights. They are extremely helpful. All the best, Sara
Kristen Milstead
Thank you, Sara. I am in that place as well. The acceptance comes and goes, but I am slowly figuring out how to make peace with it. One of the hard parts I think will be accepting it without changing myself, meaning, not becoming a jaded person myself. I refuse to do that, so I am figuring out how to integrate the two beliefs so they can somehow co-exist. Thank you for sharing your thoughts today. It helps knowing others are on the same journey.
personaldevelopment154667253
I too don’t want to become jaded. I’m not ready to get involved with anyone just yet and am not good at casual dating. But I am giving some serious thought to how I’ll approach my next relationship. I also wonder, when the time comes to share experiences about past relationships what I’ll say. In some way, I think it’s positive to look ahead instead of behind. I definitely believe there is someone out there for me who is as good of a person as I am. 🙂 – Sara
Anaida
❤
Thank you so much!
Kristen Milstead
Thank you so much for reading, Anaida. ????