After the narcissist drained your energy, you start seeing social interactions differently. You no longer feel the need to talk to everyone or force yourself into situations that drain you. Instead, you become selective about where you spend your energy. Dr. Thema Bryant, psychologist and author of Homecoming: Overcome Fear and Trauma to Reclaim Your Whole Authentic Self, explains that healing from emotional abuse means learning to honor your boundaries and only give your energy to what nurtures you. You’ve spent too much time walking on eggshells and dealing with manipulative people, so now, if a gathering feels forced, fake, or emotionally exhausting, you simply choose not to go. This doesn’t mean you’re antisocial; it means you value your peace. You’ve learned that not everyone deserves access to your time, and you no longer feel guilty about that. So if you’d rather stay home over shallow talk or unsafe company, it isn’t isolation; it’s self-respect. The right people will understand and appreciate the energy you bring when you do show up.
Guilt for Taking Up Space
After being conditioned to believe you’re too much or in the way, stepping into a room full of people can feel like a struggle. You might find yourself shrinking, apologizing too much, or trying to take up as little space as possible—physically and emotionally. Dr. Jonas Webb, author of Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect, explains that when someone is repeatedly made to feel like a burden, they internalize the belief that their presence is an inconvenience. Instead of enjoying the gathering, you stress over being too talkative, loud, or intrusive, or that your existence might bother someone. Over time, this guilt makes you avoid social events altogether. You tell yourself it’s better to stay home than to feel like an outsider or an extra in the room. But here’s the truth: your presence is not a problem, and you don’t need to apologize for existing. The people who genuinely care about you won’t see you as a burden; they’ll be glad you showed up.
Lack of Safe Support Systems
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