How NOT To Get Manipulated By Your Narcissistic Ex

This is a good instinct. You're wisely wary of the Narcissistic Vortex. Behavior like this is always an attempt by the narcissist to suck you back into their reality—the one in which they are always the victim or martyr and you are the aggressor or villain. They need to remind themselves (and others) that they are still truly special. But because your relationship with the narcissist has ended, they know you no longer accept the version of reality that they want you to believe. For that, they resent you greatly. They will try to draw you back into this reality, and, when you refuse to be complicit in their fiction, they'll punish you for rejecting them.

While it's not ideal, it is possible. The trick is to stay outside the pull of the vortex. Here's how to do it:

While you may have to discuss logistics about joint assets or your children, you don't have to engage in any tangents or respond to any comments that aren't productive. Should they insult you or make some dig at you, resist the urge to defend yourself, insult them back, or employ threats. Stick to the goal at hand. Repeat the question and wait for an answer. If this behavior continues, walk away, hang up, or do not reply if it's via text or email.

Narcissists have very little self-control. They are incapable of sending an email or text without passive-aggressively knocking your ability to function as an adult. The true secret to communicating is, ironically, minimal communication. Reply with yes or no answers and exclusively factual replies. For example, "Yes, I am picking the kids up at 5 p.m. today."

You probably spent years desperate for a crumb of affection—anything to affirm that you're not crazy and that this person does, in fact, love you. Now that you've moved on, they may send you "love bombs," which are unexpected and unsolicited communications saying things along the lines of, "Whatever happened to us?” or "If only you knew how much I truly loved you." They're intended to make you second-guess yourself and to make you vulnerable to their emotional manipulation again. These often come out of the blue, when you least expect them. Do not fall for these tricks. A narcissist will never, ever change. They have not experienced a divine intervention. Always remember, "do not engage."

This means no doing them favors—even if it benefits your child. They may ask for more time with your child than the custody arrangement allows, and try to convince you that it's in the child's best interest. Say no. They may ask you to take the kids on a weekend you weren't expecting, which would mean canceling your plans. (But you love your kids, so why wouldn't you cancel your other plans to see them?) Say no. No matter the argument at hand, a narcissist's motives are always self-preservation and advancement.

No matter the form of communication with your ex, ask yourself, "Does this message require a reply?" Remind yourself that your ex will never behave the way you want. You will never change them. The only way to move forward in a more healthy way is to accept this. Then you are liberated from the exhaustion that comes of being dragged on an endless emotional roller coaster by someone who has no interest in your well-being.