๐ Narcissists Arenโt Just in Relationships
Theyโre at Work, at the Store, and Sometimes in Your Own Home
Most people think narcissists only show up in romantic relationships.
But what if I told youโฆ theyโre often closer than that?
Theyโre the boss who takes credit for your workโand blames you when things go wrong.
Theyโre the person in the checkout line berating the cashier.
They might even be a family member youโve been trying to please your whole life.
๐ก Narcissists can show up anywhereโnot just in dramatic love stories, but in your daily routines.
And the most confusing part?
They donโt seem like villains at first.
๐ง What Narcissistic Behavior Looks Like
You may not have words for it, but youโll know how it feels:
- They twist your words and make you doubt yourself
- They never take responsibility, only redirect blame
- They act like the victimโeven when theyโre the one causing harm
- Theyโre charming to strangers and cruel to the people closest to them
You walk away feeling confused, drained, or like you mustโve done something wrong.
Thatโs not an accident. Thatโs the effect.
๐ Narcissists at Work
At work, narcissists can be:
- The boss who builds you up in front of others, but tears you down in private
- The coworker who gossips, triangulates, or takes over projects to steal the spotlight
- The one who never listens, but always demands to be heard
You find yourself adjusting your tone, second-guessing your words, or staying silent just to keep the peace.
๐ Narcissists in Public
Weโve all seen them:
- The customer yelling at a store clerk
- The person making a scene because the rules โshouldnโt apply to themโ
- The one who demands โspecial treatmentโ while demeaning everyone around them
They thrive on drama, attention, and controlโeven if it means embarrassing someone else to get it.
๐ Narcissists at Home
This one cuts deep.
Sometimes the narcissist is a parent, sibling, adult child, or long-time friend.
The lines get blurry because thereโs love mixed inโand loyalty. But the behaviors still show up:
- They rewrite history to make themselves look better
- They use silence as punishment
- They explode over small things, then act like youโre overreacting
- They draw you into their chaos, then blame you for the mess
Itโs exhausting. And for a long time, it may not even register as abuseโit just feels like life.
๐ง My Own Wake-Up Call
For me, narcissistic patterns started earlyโbecause they were all around me.
That meant I married into it, too. And one day, it escalated so far that I had to face it fully.
I was stalked for over five years by a man whoโon the second time we metโtold me he loved me and wanted to marry me.
I tried to please him, even paid for a holiday he ruined with disruptive behavior.
At the airport, we were pulled aside for additional screening. I was mortified.
He showed up uninvited at my property, argued with a contractor Iโd hired, disappeared for months, and then returned like nothing had happened.
Eventually, I got help.
Because this kind of pattern doesnโt fix itself. And you donโt have to live in it forever.
โจ You Donโt Need to Diagnose Anyone
You just need to recognize how you feel around them.
- If your confidence erodesโฆ
- If your world starts revolving around their moodsโฆ
- If youโre shrinking yourself to surviveโฆ
Thatโs enough to pay attention.
Youโre not imagining it.
Youโre not being too sensitive.
Youโre remembering your worth.
And thatโs where your healing begins.