it’s nearly impossible to identify as early as we all wish we could’ve. it’s not normal or natural to assume people don’t mean what they say, or that they have bad intentions. it’s not our fault for being manipulated, it’s their fault for being manipulative. i was really embarrassed when i tried to tell a friend a story about him looking for advice, and realized i couldn’t even finish it because it was so awful. it was a story of clear abuse and i was somehow still questioning myself.

your post resonates with me so much. like someone else said, i feel like i could’ve written this too. i’ve had the same conversations, almost direct quotes!! it’s freaky how similar narcs are.