Accept that dealing with a narcissist is a game, not a real interaction. To survive and protect yourself, you must learn to play this game with strategy. Narcissists will wear you down if you are always on the defensive. Instead, take the offensive: anticipate their moves, use deception, and make unexpected plays that put them on the back foot.
This might involve setting up scenarios where you manipulate their expectations, create false problems, or distract them with irrelevant issues. In other words, disrupt their emotional manipulation by confusing them. The game is about control, and by playing strategically, you take back some of that control.
If possible, avoid playing altogether by cutting them out of your life. Healing, therapy, and living well are the ultimate forms of revenge, but if you must engage, be prepared to fight the narcissist on their terms.
5. Manipulate Them
In a relationship with a narcissist, manipulation isn’t just a tool—it’s a necessity. While this may feel morally wrong, it’s often the only way to protect yourself from further harm. If you cannot fully sever ties with a narcissist—whether due to children, work, or living situations—you must manipulate them to achieve your goals.
Define your objectives clearly. Whether it’s securing fair treatment, limiting their access to your life, or protecting your children, you need to focus on the endgame. Every interaction should serve this purpose. This isn’t a normal conversation or relationship; it’s a calculated exchange where you must constantly keep your goal in mind.
Manipulation allows you to take control in situations where you might otherwise feel powerless. The narcissist will continue their abusive patterns unless you turn the tables and use their own tactics against them to get what you need.
Conclusion: Take Back Your Power
continue reading on the next page
Sharing is caring!
