Narcissists insist on setting the emotional “temperature” of every interaction. They refuse to tolerate anything that contradicts their sunny narrative, forcing you to:
- Suppress Authenticity: Hide your true feelings to avoid their judgment.
- Perform Positivity: Mimic their upbeat facade, even when it’s inauthentic.
- Prioritize Their Comfort: Cater to their need for constant admiration, sidelining your own emotional needs.
For example, if you’ve had a difficult day, they’ll chastise you for “bringing negativity” rather than offering support. Their message is clear: Your emotions are an inconvenience—fix them, or else.
The Gaslighting Playbook: “You’re Overreacting”
Narcissists weaponize toxic positivity to gaslight you into self-doubt. By dismissing your struggles (“It’s not that bad!”) or comparing them to others’ (“Some people have it worse!”), they:
- Invalidate your experiences.
- Shift blame onto you for “choosing” to feel negatively.
- Create cognitive dissonance (“Maybe they’re right—am I too sensitive?”).
Over time, this erodes your self-trust, making you reliant on their approval to gauge your worth.
Why Narcissists Can’t Tolerate “Bad Vibes”
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