Entangled: How to Recognize—and Release—a Narcissist ❤️🩹
One of the most important articles I'll ever share.
The last straw wasn’t the insults, the gaslighting, or even the condescending tone.
It was the moment he weaponized something sacred I’d shared in vulnerability.
That’s when I knew: I was entangled.
And I had to get out.
It started as a friendship—solid, supportive, safe. At least, that’s what I thought.
We bonded over ideas, ambition, and long conversations that made me feel seen.
But slowly, things shifted.
It wasn’t just the occasional red flag. It was the exhaustion. The self-doubt. The silence I slipped into.
Pretty soon, I realized I wasn’t growing—I was surviving.
And I was entangled with someone who showed every sign of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
What Narcissistic Personality Disorder Really Is:
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) isn’t just arrogance or being self-obsessed. It’s a diagnosable personality disorder marked by:
A deep need for admiration
A lack of empathy
A fragile ego that crumbles under criticism
Most narcissists never seek help because they don’t believe they’re the problem. They crave praise but fear intimacy. They want to be admired, not truly known. And that makes real connection almost impossible.
So how do you know if you’re in deep with someone like this? If you’re constantly questioning your voice, your instincts, your worth—you might be entangled with a narcissist.
Here’s how to recognize the signs:
1. You’re in a relationship, but you feel like an audience.
You cheer them on, support their dreams, hold space for their pain. But when it’s your turn to speak, there’s silence—or worse, criticism. Narcissists want to be adored, not reciprocate. Your voice shrinks while their ego expands.
2. He doesn’t want a partner. He wants a mirror.
At first, it feels like you’re aligned. Same interests. Deep talks. Chemistry. But the moment you challenge them? You’re met with outrage, stonewalling, or guilt trips. Narcissists can’t tolerate reflection that isn’t flattering.
3. He monitors what you say, do, or believe.
You start second-guessing your plans. Holding back your opinions. Editing yourself to avoid backlash. Narcissists need to control the narrative—especially when their image is at stake.
4. You walk on eggshells just to keep the peace.
One day he’s doting, the next he’s cold. You overthink texts. You apologize just to calm things down. You’re always bracing for the shift.
5. You’re exhausted, but you still wonder if it’s your fault.
Even when you notice the red flags, self-doubt creeps in. You overextend. Overexplain. Overfunction. And you stay—hoping your love can fix what’s broken.
Of course I cared about him. I wanted to believe he could change.
But I couldn’t keep sacrificing my voice, peace, and mental health for someone who only showed up when it benefitted him. I had to choose me.
In my upcoming free novella Keep the Ring, Zariah James—thick, sexy, and wildly popular travel vlogger—seems to have it all. The ring. The life. The feed. But behind the curated perfection, she’s caught in the emotional web of a narcissist. When the manipulation turns cruel, Zariah finally breaks free—and keeps her voice, her power, and yes, the ring. If you’ve ever felt like you were losing yourself just to be loved, this one’s for you.
Final Word: You Deserve More Than Survival
The love you deserve won’t confuse you.
It won’t silence your creativity.
It won’t feel like walking through fire just to be seen.
Let him go, sis. And love you instead.
Love, growth, and second chances—always,
Kimberly R. Vargas
The Next Chapter™ | © 2025 Kimberly R. Vargas. All rights reserved.
A platform for soulful romance, second chances, and emotionally rich storytelling by Kimberly R. Vargas.
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