The Battle of a Man’s Heart

The reality is most of us have been in a bad relationship. Most of us have been in a terrible relationship. Let’s face it, most of us have been in a lot of bad relationships. Most of us have been in a lot of terrible relationships. Personally my mother showed many characteristics of being a malignant narcissistic sociopath and this set me up to willingly date them unaware.

I don’t know if I attracted them per sae, as I attracted a lot of girls growing up. Somehow they always managed to be the ones I was in a relationship with however. Not always, but a large percentage of the girls I dated turned out to be exactly like this. Even once I started learning about narcissism, sociopaths, Jezebel personalities, Delilah personalities, ect. when I was younger they still managed to trick me every once in a while.

Many times I found myself feeling extremely depressed and unhappy with life when I was in these relationships. It didn’t happen overnight which is part of the trick. I would have seen it if it happened suddenly and without a well executed plan of attack. Often times it can take weeks, months, or even years to fully carry out their plan. Little by little, they start to whittle away at your foundation. At the same time they send out a psychological flank in one of your most vulnerable positions.

You wonder to yourself, how did this happen? I was just eating and drinking with my buddies, playing cards and enjoying some good fun when all of a sudden there was movement in the bushes. Little did we know there was something lurking, watching, waiting. We begin to worry, doubt, and fear what could be hiding in the bushes. Is a cute free range rabbit? I don’t think so. It’s too big. Suddenly it stops.

You look around and everything seems to be normal. Perhaps it was just the breeze you think. So you go back to having fun with your buddies. You are enjoying the freedom and liberty of life. The sunset is beautiful. The buzz starts to kick in from the beers. Another buddy comes back from the lake with some fish and another with a small boar he shot while taking a shit. You feel great, laughing inside, suddenly out of the corner of your eye you see several shadows dance across the tree line.

You look over and once again see nothing. This time you take no chances and send out a small team to recon and another to setup security just in case. Meanwhile you gaze through your binoculars as the spotter and long range shooter setup near by. Reports come back and it’s all clear. You see nothing and start to doubt your own leadership abilities. You wonder if you are starting to see things. You tell your team to come back and enjoy the rest of the night. You drink a few extra beers to calm the nerves and pass around a few jokes with the guys.

The sun has set, the moon is high in the sky, the forest is quiet, and the pond is still. All is peaceful on the top of the hill. A few guys are still playing cards while another is setting up his hammock. One’s passed out with a giant smile and a cigar still stuck to his lip. You can’t help but laugh and slap it out of his mouth.

This is when it happens. Those shadows become demons and the rustle of the bush turns into a full on assault. You scream not only for your platoon but also as a rally cry. You run for cover firing every chance you get. Platoon in total chaos as they run for their weapon dodging bullets and fire. You grab a grenade from your waste band, pull the pin, and throw it as far as you can taking position while flinging out some cover fire.

The only thing racing through your mind is doubt and fear. You can’t believe you let your self and your men get caught sleeping. Questioning the leadership as you slap a new magazine in. This is when you see it. You see the flank charging in. With one last effort you grab the M240 Bravo and try to cover. You yell for your team to get down as you spin in rapid fire. When the smoke clears there’s nothing left. Your hobbies, your dreams, your personality, it’s all gone. Your clip runs dry and all you here is click click click.

This is where I found myself many times during and after a relationship like this. Building your confidence back up can be extremely difficult. Getting yourself, your hobbies, your life back can be one of the hardest things ever imaginable. You look around at all the dead bodies and wonder how you could ever recover. You question who you even are anymore. Whether or not your personality is what it is or what it even is.

The only thing you can really do is bury the dead. As you start to walk away and realize everything that has occurred, your doubt becomes curiosity and your fear becomes depression. It’s a fuzzy feeling and quite hard to put words on the line, as your mind goes blank and your body pushes forward. You dust off old habits and hobbies that bring back some cognitive function. You feel the cool fall breeze biting your nipples as you go back for a sweatshirt before wondering to yourself how it all happened.

You stay up late reading internet articles like this one. Questioning your existence and what it is you’re doing. You start to realize you’re not alone and many men have fought this very battle. You’re filled with rage and joy while laying low as a survivor. You start to remember your wants and desires, your dreams and hobbies. Your shown a mission and objective with an achievable goal.

This is where true growth comes from. Self reflection and honesty. You see your self for who you really are. What you really are. As it becomes obvious looking in the mirror. Don’t let yourself get stuck in the process, because we have a very short existence. Wasting your time bashing and hating might build your falsified confidence but it won’t bring you to a place of consistent joy, you’ll be left sitting in the camp staring at your boy.

This is one area I truly struggle in, and that’s remaining humble. The ability to build confidence without hurting someone else can be difficult in this society. Especially when it’s so easy with no responsibility for your actions. You can personally see many times I have lost my humility from passion, emotion, or rage. It’s easy to do.

The only way we get through this is with a well educated platoon. Where each member has a unique tool set to add value to the tune. Where we truly argue and debate as men, with no topic off the table with true ideas and opinions to validate. Staying inside the camp of death you can’t revitalize who you are.

The Grouch & Eligh - Teach Me The Way

Parasite in Panic: How Narcissists Act Once Exposed

In today’s society, narcissism seems to be on the rise. Everywhere we turn, we see individuals who are self-absorbed, lacking empathy, manipulative behavior, and constantly seeking admiration from others. But what happens when a narcissist is exposed for who they truly are? It’s like a parasite in panic, desperately trying to maintain its hold on its host.

The Immediate Reaction: Denial and Gaslighting
Upon being confronted or exposed, a narcissist’s instinctual response is to staunchly deny any accusations, regardless of the evidence presented against them. This denial is often coupled with gaslighting, a sophisticated form of psychological manipulation aimed at making victims question their own memory, perception, or sanity. By distorting facts and feigning ignorance, narcissists create an alternate reality in which their version of events becomes the only acceptable truth.

This behavior is not just about self-preservation; it’s a deliberate attempt to undermine the accuser’s credibility and assert dominance in the situation. The narcissist’s expertise in twisting narratives enables them to evade accountability and maintain their façade of superiority. Through gaslighting, they sow seeds of doubt, often convincing others that they are misremembering or overreacting to the situation.

This tactic not only protects the narcissist’s image but also isolates the victim, making it more challenging for them to seek help or validation from others. The narcissist’s ability to deny and gaslight with conviction makes confronting them a daunting task, often leaving the accuser feeling helpless and disoriented.

Shifting the Blame: A Narcissist’s Best Defense
In the intricate dance of maintaining their self-crafted image, narcissists adeptly employ the tactic of blame shifting to evade accountability. This maneuver involves attributing their own shortcomings and misdeeds to others, effectively redirecting attention and scrutiny away from themselves. By doing so, they not only protect their fragile ego but also reinforce their perceived innocence and superiority.

Narcissists possess a remarkable skill in identifying and exploiting the vulnerabilities of others to justify their blame-shifting. They artfully concoct reasons and fabricate narratives that paint themselves as mere victims of circumstance or the actions of others. This deflection is not a mere reaction but a strategic move to destabilize their accuser and regain the upper hand in any dispute.

Moreover, by projecting their faults onto someone else, narcissists manipulate the perceptions of bystanders. This ensures that any negative consequences are diverted away from them, preserving their façade of infallibility. The success of this tactic heavily relies on their charisma and ability to persuade others, traits that narcissists often use to their advantage.

Engaging in blame shifting also serves a deeper, more insidious purpose, it systematically undermines the confidence and sanity of their accusers. Those on the receiving end of this tactic may begin to doubt their perceptions and judgment, further entrenching the narcissist’s influence and control over them. Through this sophisticated form of psychological warfare, narcissists continue their manipulation unchallenged, leaving a trail of confusion and distress in their wake.

The Victim Card: Seeking Sympathy and Support
In the aftermath of being unmasked, narcissists deftly switch roles from perpetrator to victim. This dramatic role reversal is a calculated move designed to sway the court of public opinion in their favor. By orchestrating a narrative in which they are the injured party, they adeptly garner the sympathy and backing of those around them, turning the tables on their accuser. Their manipulation tactics are not just limited to verbal persuasion but extend to emotional manipulation, where they exploit the natural human instinct to comfort those in distress.

This strategy involves recounting tales of personal hardship or injustice, real or fabricated, to deflect from their wrongdoings. The narcissist, with a flair for drama, may embellish these stories to tug at the heartstrings of their audience, ensuring they are seen not as the villain but as a victim of unfortunate circumstances or the malice of others. Their adeptness at emotional manipulation can cause even the most discerning individuals to question the validity of the accusations against them.

Employing the victim card allows the narcissist to regain a semblance of innocence and moral high ground, making it more difficult for others to maintain a stance against them. This tactic not only serves to isolate the true victim but also rebuilds the narcissist’s support system, fortifying their defense against any future allegations. Through this intricate web of deceit and manipulation, narcissists continue to evade accountability, leaving a wake of confusion and conflict.

The Silent Treatment: A Form of Emotional Blackmail
When narcissists find themselves cornered or exposed, they might deploy the silent treatment as a strategic maneuver to exert dominance and manipulate emotions. This tactic involves a deliberate withholding of communication and engagement, serving as a form of punishment to those who dare challenge or unveil their true persona.

It’s a calculated effort to provoke feelings of guilt, anxiety, and loneliness in the victim, pressuring them to conform to the narcissist’s desires or apologize for perceived wrongs. Unlike other forms of overt manipulation, the silent treatment leverages the absence of action to inflict emotional distress. It’s a passive-aggressive tool in the narcissist’s arsenal, aimed at re-establishing control and asserting superiority without overt confrontation.

This psychological tactic not only isolates the victim but also instills a sense of helplessness, as attempts to resolve the situation are met with cold indifference. Through this silence, the narcissist communicates a clear message, compliance and subjugation are the only paths to re-establishing the connection, leaving their targets ensnared in a cycle of confusion and self-doubt.

Hoovering: An Attempt to Regain Control
In the complex psychological landscape navigated by narcissists, hoovering emerges as a critical technique for reasserting their dominance over those who attempt to break free from their influence. This method involves a sudden and often unexpected resurgence of affection, attention, and promises of transformation from the narcissist towards their previous victims. By deploying charm and seemingly sincere pledges of improvement, narcissists aim to entice their targets back into a cycle that many have struggled to escape. This behavior is not rooted in genuine remorse or a commitment to change but is a calculated move to re-establish the connection necessary for the narcissist to continue their manipulative behaviors.

The process of hoovering can be incredibly confusing and disarming for the recipient. It plays on the emotional vulnerabilities and unresolved feelings that may linger, even after recognizing the harmful nature of the relationship. The sudden shift from cold indifference or hostility to warmth and affection is designed to destabilize the victim’s resolve, making them question their decision to distance themselves. By creating an illusion of personal growth and understanding, the narcissist seeks to weave their way back into the lives of those they’ve wronged, reinforcing their presence and control. This tactic underscores the relentless pursuit of narcissists to maintain influence and avoid the repercussions of their actions, showcasing their adeptness at emotional manipulation.

Parasite In Panic How Narcissists Act Once Exposed Parasite In Panic How Narcissists Act Once Exposed Parasite In Panic How Narcissists Act Once Exposed

Smear Campaigns: The Art of Reputation Management
Amidst exposure, narcissists swiftly pivot to orchestrating smear campaigns as a defense mechanism, meticulously crafting narratives to undermine those who dare challenge them. This strategic dissemination of falsehoods, exaggerated tales, and skewed perceptions is aimed squarely at discrediting the accuser, effectively diverting attention from the narcissist’s misconduct.

By polluting the information landscape with their distorted version of events, they attempt to sow confusion and doubt among peers, colleagues, and any mutual acquaintances. This manipulation extends beyond mere protection of their fragile self-image; it’s a calculated assault on the credibility of their challenger, designed to isolate them and erode their support network. The prowess of a narcissist in manipulating public opinion through such campaigns demonstrates their acute understanding of social dynamics and the power of narrative control.

Engaging in this form of character assassination allows the narcissist to maintain the upper hand, ensuring that their reputation remains untarnished while casting a shadow of doubt over their accuser. Through this tactical manipulation of social perceptions, narcissists exhibit a chilling proficiency in bending the collective viewpoint to their favor, further entrenching their ability to evade true accountability.

Self-Victimization: The Final Resort
Narcissists adept at evading responsibility may employ self-victimization as a strategic fallback. This maneuver is intricately designed to sway perception, crafting a narrative where they, despite being the perpetrators, emerge as the aggrieved parties. Through this artifice, they ingeniously invoke pity and compassion, shifting the focus from their misdeeds to their own contrived distress. This tactic cleverly distorts the reality of the situation, compelling others to reassess their stance and potentially forgive the narcissist’s transgressions.

It’s a testament to their manipulation prowess, as they skillfully manipulate emotional responses to secure leniency and support. By painting themselves as beleaguered victims, narcissists not only divert attention from their actions but also dampen the resolve of those holding them accountable, ensuring their continued influence and control. This calculated display of vulnerability is but another tool in their arsenal, aiming to maintain their façade and manipulate societal perceptions to their advantage.