December 4, 2024 at 2:02pm EST

This Is How They Get You!

Narcissists use your desire for connection and acceptance against you.

Everyone wants to feel valued—it’s a beautiful part of being human.

But narcissists exploit this.

They start with love-bombing or intense attention to make you feel special, whether as a friend, partner, family member, or colleague. 

Once they know you’re invested, they pull back, using your connection as a way to control you.

So, how do you stay open to meaningful relationships but protect yourself?

One way is by creating a checklist of what a healthy relationship means to YOU.

For example, you could write:

• I feel safe to be myself.
• My feelings and boundaries are respected.
• There is consistency between words and actions.

Whatever your criteria is, just remember that healthy relationships are safe, consistent, and mutual.

When you know what you deserve, you can spot the difference between genuine connection and manipulation.

Stay true to your checklist, and don’t settle for less.

All the best,

Juliana

The Unfilteredd Team