How To Deal With A Narcissist

Set Some Boundaries

It's important to set some boundaries when dealing with a narcissist. Don't let the other person cross these boundaries. Setting boundaries can be difficult, especially if the other person doesn't respect them. But they're an essential part of healthy relationships. You need to be able to give a firm 'no.' If need be, sit down with a pen and paper and physically write a list of your boundaries. Boundaries include things you won't do, the amount of time you're willing to spend on any one person per day, the amount of time you're taking for self-care rather than helping others, and the kind of behavior you won't tolerate. Practice saying no when someone crosses these boundaries. If the narcissist attempts to violate your established boundaries, shut them down and remove yourself from the situation. You need to have the ability to say no so you don't end up constantly drained.

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Ask For Action, Not Promises

When dealing with a narcissist, ask for action instead of promises. Narcissists can often be very manipulative and charming, but they also rarely do selfless acts for others. If a narcissist wants to continue benefiting from your relationship, they may promise you things with no intention of delivering. For example, if you ask them to put more work into the relationship, they may apologize and promise they'll do better moving forward. But rather than accept the promise as a sign they're committed to change, make sure they follow through on the action. Tell them to prove themselves through action instead of just apologizing and making promises.

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