Elaine had not recognized Brian as a sneaky narcissist until it was too late, she thought.
Elaine had given her life to Brian.
She and Brian met when they were both in their fifties. Her two children were grown and independent. He’d never married. His courtship of her charming and intense. He swept her off her feet. He claimed he had a thriving business but needed to move out of his apartment and into her house so they could really be together and he could devote extra money to the next growth steps in his business.
Within a year, Elaine had put his name on her house, given him half her business, put her savings into his business, him beneficiary of her will, and watched him run up huge debts on her credit cards. She’d also quit seeing the friends she’d had for decades. The way he explained it, made it all seem natural.
Even worse, her life started revolving exclusively around his schedule and his desires. Brian insisted she keep working because they needed the money. Also, he insisted she keep the house spotless and have food ready for him when he came home in the evening. When she wasn’t perfect enough for him, he was critical, bullying and abusive. But he always has good reasons. He demanded she give in to him like his mother always had.
Elaine felt trapped.
She woke up one morning in a cold sweat. She hated the way he’d treated her but she could never win an argument. If she tried to leave, she’d be almost broke. And Brain had been clear about what he’d done to business partners and previous women who’d disappointed and abandoned him. He’d broken them.
Elaine felt hopeless and helpless. She couldn’t see a bright future. She’d been a fool. It was all her fault. Waves of shame and guilt washed over her. She became anxious and depressed.
Elaine is not trapped.
Elaine was stuck but not trapped. It would be a difficult task to get free, but she was not doomed to spend the rest of her life as Brian’s slave.
She felt her anger and her spirit rise in her. She’d fight him to the death. Even if it took the rest of her life, the fight would be better than giving up and becoming his slave. She began to see and feel some hope. And the more she fought, the more she found allies and the stronger she felt. During her fight for freedom, she discovered many things she could use as leverage against Brian.
Of course it was hard. So what?
Some people wake up only after they have children and are financially dependent on a sneaky narcissist. That only increases the degree of difficulty. Many people decide to wait until the children are grown. But remember, sneaky narcissists will try to make you more helpless every day. And the more you tolerate access to the children, the more they’ll be able to turn them against you.
Of course, there are many complications depending on your situation. The best way to learn how to take power in your life and to be the person you want to be is to hire Dr. Ben for personalized coaching and counseling so you can:
- Develop the strength, courage, will and determination to be and to act your best resolutely, diligently and effectively.
- Develop a plan and master the skills necessary to create the life your spirit has always hungered for.
Since all tactics depend on the situation, call me at 1-877-8Bullies for expert counseling and coaching by phone or Skype.