Narcissistic Abuse: Recognize-Survive-Recover-Defend -- Weekly Meeting

### 🌱 Weekly Group Meeting Message

Topic: Narcissistic Abuse – Recognize | Survive | Recover | Defend
Hi everyone,
In this series of weekly meetings, we’ll be diving into an important and empowering topic: Narcissistic Abuse. Whether you're in recovery, just beginning to connect the dots, or supporting someone you care about, this discussion is designed to build awareness, foster healing, and strengthen your emotional armor.

Join Online via Zoom: (attendance is locked 5 minutes after start)
[https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83719063008](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83719063008&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1WCt5NZtrocx6Lv_J8Xp6c)

Password:
123456

We'll break it down into four stages over as many weeks, each with key takeaways:

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### 🔍 Recognize

• Narcissists often use charm, love bombing, and idealization early on to gain trust and control.
• Over time, you may experience gaslighting, blame-shifting, or emotional invalidation.
• Red flags include a lack of empathy, entitlement, and a need to dominate conversations or relationships.
• Confusion, guilt, or feeling “never good enough” are common emotional symptoms of being manipulated.
• Learning to trust your gut and document inconsistencies can help clarify the reality of the abuse.

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### 💪 Survive

• Establish emotional and physical boundaries — even small steps create space.
• Create a support system that validates your experiences (friends, therapist, group).
• Limit or cut off contact when possible, especially with severe abuse (No Contact or Grey Rock).
• Remind yourself: survival is a win. You’re not weak — you’re in a war for your mind and worth.
• Protect your energy by limiting arguments or attempts to explain yourself to the narcissist.

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### 🌼 Recover

• Healing takes time — prioritize self-compassion over self-criticism.
• Journaling and therapy can help you rebuild self-trust and identify internalized beliefs.
• Reconnect with your identity, values, and goals outside of the relationship dynamic.
• Practice grounding techniques and positive affirmations to re-center your nervous system.
• Acknowledge grief — even toxic bonds create emotional residue that needs processing.

***

### 🛡️ Defend

• Educate yourself on manipulation tactics so you’re never caught off guard again.
• Establish non-negotiable boundaries and communicate them with calm confidence.
• If co-parenting or work-related: keep communication factual, brief, and documented.
• Trust your instincts and learn to walk away from toxic dynamics early.
• Surround yourself with people who reflect the truth of your worth — not those who distort it.

***

Looking forward to sharing stories, strategies, and strength this week. You’re not alone — and you’re more powerful than you think. 💬🧠❤️
— Pat Vulk