What's Your Story? - Narcissism

UPDATE 23.2, a new event to discuss the podcast is up.

UPDATE 17.2, I just listened to Signs You are Dealing with a Narcissist (New Research from World-Leading Expert Dr. Ramani) on The Mel Robbins Podcast. It's insightful, so if you have time, give it a listen. You are NOT obliged to have listened to it to attend this event.

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Narcissism.

A big topic in itself. An even bigger one for me.

Narcissism. The term is often used colloquially to describe self-centered or egotistical behavior in a broad sense. People may use it loosely in everyday language to characterize individuals who excessively focus on themselves or their own interests. Social media can enable & encourage narcissism by providing platforms that allow individuals to showcase their lives & achievements. Features like "likes" & "followers" create a quantifiable measure of popularity, feeding into a desire for external validation. The constant sharing of personal content can reinforce a self-centered focus, contributing to the development or amplification of narcissistic tendencies. Additionally, curated online personas may not accurately reflect real-life experiences, fostering a sense of grandiosity.

However, this is not what I'm talking about. Everyone has traits of narcissism to varying degrees, I will be the first one to admit & am unashamed of it. It's essential, though, to distinguish between casual usage & the clinical definition of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), which involves specific diagnostic criteria & goes beyond everyday self-centeredness.

Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by excessive self-admiration, a sense of entitlement, & a lack of empathy for others. In extreme cases, it may be diagnosed as NPD.

This, is what I am talking about.

For people who are (or were) in a narcissistic relationship, be it with your spouse, romantic partner, business partner(s), colleague(s), boss(es), sibling(s), child(ren), (grand)parent(s), friend(s), I am talking to you.

You may be agonisingly familiar with terms like lovebombing, conditioning, manipulating, victim-mentality, gaslighting, devaluing, smearing campaign, discard, supply, (in)validation, rage, walking on eggshells, blame-shifting, the list goes on. You have certainly experienced a range of intense & conflicting emotions such as self-doubt, confusion, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, guilt, anger, isolation, denial. You might be seeing a psychotherapist as a result.

For this 3-hour session, I'm collaborating with Kathia, neuroscientist & fellow event organiser of Curious Thinkers & Book Lovers, for a unique exploration into the complexities of narcissism. How? By blending our distinct styles; we merge & alternate between personal, heartfelt narratives & thoughtful, analytical discussions that challenge our understanding.

I totally get it if you would rather turn your head away from this, because talking about it means confronting the upheaval of emotions that you might not want or are ready to face. I get it. I was there too. But I talk about it now, it's still hard but it's healing me.

"What's Your Story?" is a place where we trustingly tell our stories for the purpose of sharing, understanding, drawing & giving support from/to each other. All stories shared will respectfully remain locked in the room. Privacy & confidentiality is key. Sign up only if you will adhere to this.

We also attempt to explore how being in a narcissistic relationship impacts us & how we consequently see ourselves. It is impossible to cover such a weighty topic in 3 hours. If there's a demand for further discussions, this could potentially be the start of a series.

Due to limited spots, the invitation is opened to you if you are in a narcissistic relationship, or a survivor of one. I apologetically state it is NOT opened to those who have substantial knowledge on this topic but have NOT experienced being in a narcissistic relationship.

Feel free to bring snacks/fruits. Water/tea is available.

This event:

• is not a group therapy, coaching or consulting session.
• is a space for exchange of opinions and experiences.
• will be held in English.
• will open its doors at 18.45 hours.
• will begin on time.

Event Fees: Donation basis. Cash only.

If you are a podcast lover, check out the events here.

Your respectful social etiquette matters:

• If you've signed up, you will turn up. If your plans change, remove yourself from the going/waiting list 12 hours prior to the start of event time.
• Dropping out less than 6 hours before event time will earn you a No-Show & the possibility of being banned from future events.
• If something's come up last minute, write me a message to prevent being flagged as No-Show.
• Do not show up if you are on the waiting list.